Leonard John Peters

Leonard J. Peters, 66 of rural Devils Lake, ND died on Sunday evening, March 15, 2009 at his home in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Leonard will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Robert Pecotte will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Len will be Stan Sigette, Tommy Peterson, Jason Nelson, Allan Peters, Dustin Waldo, Donald Kjelden, Aimee Walters and Heather Crabbe. Reading the Scriptures will be Aimee Walters and Samantha Crabbe. Gift Bearers will be Alex and Samantha Crabbe. Music will be provided by Kensi Kjelden, soloist and Patty Cote, organist. Leonard John was born on September 8, 1942 at Rugby, ND the son of Bernard and Helen (Thomas) Peters. He grew up in the Leeds area, attending school in York and also South Minnewaukan Township School in Ramsey County. On November 28, 1959, Leonard was united in marriage to Linda Kjelden. Leonard worked as a lineman for several years which meant living and working in several areas of the country including setting poles in the mountains of Utah and driving a gravel semi-truck in Wyoming. In 1962, they moved back to North Dakota and Leonard was the first manager of the newly opened Holiday Station in Devils Lake. Because he was such an exceptional manager, he was transferred to several other Holiday Stations as a trouble-shooter including stations in St. Cloud, MN, Minot, Fargo and Minneapolis. When promoted to District Manager he moved the family to Iowa. Eventually Len decided to open his own store and was owner and operator of Len’s Fairway in Tolna. He also worked road construction for Hulstrand Construction Company for several years. As Peters’ Enterprise, Len and the family were contracted mail carriers for 25 years and retiring only because of heath problems. This was a job that took true dedication, nerves of steel in winter driving conditions and the ability as a master mechanic in keeping all the trucks running in tip top shape. If you were to ask Len what his hobbies were, he would have to say “work.” Any job big or small was never left undone; it was done to perfection. If he ever did have an hour or two off, Len enjoyed auctions sales, especially the trailers filled with boxes of treasures. Len left his family a powerful legacy of love, determination and commitment. May Leonard rest in God’s peace. Leonard is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda Daughters: Pam Walters and her husband, Bill of Grand Forks Deb and Jason Nelson of Bismarck, ND Son: Jarret Peters, and special friend, Becky Sanderson of Williston, ND Seven Grandchildren: Aimee Walters, Sarah (Jeff) Foucault, Heather Crabbe, Samantha Crabbe, Alex Crabbe, Hope Nelson and Faith Nelson. Two Great Grandchildren: Jace Walters and Tate Foucault; Brothers: Joe Peters and his wife, Myonne of Devils Lake, Nick Peters and his wife, Doris of Coos Bay, Oregon and Francis Peters and his wife, Midge of Nisland, South Dakota; Sisters: Evelyn Gresdahl of Huron, South Dakota and Dorothy Scharberg and her husband, Richard of Albuquerque, New Mexico; He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Billy Walters; sister, Barbara Forstner; nephew, Ross Scharberg and a niece, Elaine Scharberg.