Michael Ray Peterson

Michael Ray Peterson, Inyan Maza, 19 of St. Michael, ND left this earth and met Wakan Tanka (Jesus) and re-united with his triplet brother, Joe Peterson on September 23, 2009. A Wake and Prayer Service will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday from Wal-Mart. Funeral Services for Michael will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, Fort Totten. Rev. David Lewis will officiate and burial will be at the Abraham Family Cemetery, rural St. Michael. Serving as Casket Bearers for Michael will be Dion Peterson, Daniel Peterson, Brett Yankton, Dana Lohnes, Val George Merrick, Elton Demarce, Victor Jackson and Collin Delorme. Honorary Bearers will be Michael’s favorite cousins, Luvenna Heaven Azure and Lexie Jo Azure, Michael’s girlfriend, Dancia Jackson, his little friend, Jackson Delorme and James Volk Jr., Glen Abraham, Lynnia Bustos, Brett Mercer, Chance Sailor, Vernell Jackson, Sage Robertson, Sarah Dubois, Sam Merrick Jr. and all of Michael’s many friends and relatives. Anyone we forgot to mention, sorry, it is not intentional thru this hard time. Michael Ray was born June 14, 1990, in Grand Forks, ND, to Margo Gourd and Dennis Peterson. Michael is the oldest of triplet boys. Michael attended Early Head Start (formerly CCDP) at Fort Totten, ND and Head Start in St. Michael. Michael attended Prairie View Elementary, Central Middle School, Devils Lake High School and graduated from Warwick High School in 2008. He earned the choice of being Valedictorian or Salutatorian for the graduating class of 2008, but due to his loss of Joe, he did not accept the honor. He was currently attending Little Hoop Community College in Fort Totten, ND. In Michael’s school years, he was part of the bowling league in Devils Lake, played football and wrestling. Recently Michael played in the Elks Basketball Tournaments. Michael Peterson was a friendly, humorous, helpful and pleasant young man. Michael enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend, Dancia Jackson and his triplet brother, Dion. Michael enjoyed playing basketball, X Box 360, cruising with his friends and listening to music. Michael Ray was the kind of person that was easy-going, laid back, liked to joke around, very supporting and loving. His big smile and caring ways will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Although Mikey Ray’s life on earth was very brief, he left a legacy of love and caring for his family. Michael Ray will be so very missed by his family and friends, but we shall hold his loving memory in our hearts forever. Michael may be gone, but he will never be forgotten to all that knew him. When Michael looked into Wakan Tanka eyes for the first time, He said, “Welcome home my good and faithful servant.” Michael is survived by his loving mother, Margo Gourd of St. Michael, ND; loving siblings, Dion, Daniel and Jennie Peterson of St. Michael; loving grandmother, Esther Abraham, St. Michael and loving aunt, June (Andrew) Gourd, St. Michael; loving cousins, Luvenna Heaven and Lexie Jo Azure, St. Michael; Glen Abraham and Nathan Yellowhammer of St. Michael; father: Dennis Peterson; sister, Lavonna Peterson, Flandreau, SD; paternal grandmother, Judy Allen, Flandreau, South Dakota and aunts, Jolene Crosswhite, Lavonna Allen, Cindy Payer and Denise Cadotte. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Peterson; maternal grandfather, Garry Gourd; uncle, Loren Gourd; cousins, John Yellowhammer, Mark Webber, Klo Redfox; great uncle, Michael Abraham; great aunt, Eleanor Mazakahomni; great grandparents, Jerome (Oyesna) and Jennie (Mazakahomni) Abraham and Jacob and Melvina Gourd; paternal grandfather, Dennis Peterson Sr.