Joe E. Peterson Tawapaha Maza Mani,(Walking with his Iron Flag) 17 of St. Michael, ND began his journey into the spirit world Saturday morning, September 8, 2007 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Funeral Services for Joe will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Recreation Center with burial at the Abraham Family Cemetery, rural St. Michael.
The Wake and Prayer Service for Joe will be held on Friday, September 14, 2007 at St. Michael’s Recreation Center, St. Michael, ND beginning at 5:00 p.m. The procession to the Recreation Center will leave from the Wal-Mart parking lot at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Serving as Casket Bearers for Joe will be Dion Peterson, Michael Peterson, Daniel Peterson, James Thompson III, Vernell Jackson, J. Jetty, Val George Merrick and Stephan Cloud.
Honorary Bearers will be Joe’s favorite cousin, Luvenna Heaven-Azure, Brandon Jackson, Victor Jackson, Elton Demarce, Sage Robertson, Brett Yankton, Tristin Demarce, Marshall Demarce, Tyler Jetty, Dana Lohnes, Grant Davidson, Chandler Lightning, Chancellor Lightning and all of Joe’s family, friends, and the Senior Class of Warwick High School.
Joe Eugene was born on June 14, 1990 in Grand Forks, ND to Margo Gourd and Dennis Peterson. Joe is the youngest triplet. Joe attended Early Head Start (formerly CCDP Program) at Fort Totten and Head Start in St. Michael. Joe attended Prairie View Elementary in Devils Lake, Lincoln Elementary in Fargo and Central Middle School in Devils Lake, Devils Lake High School and was currently a Senior at Warwick High School. Joe was looking forward to graduating in May and going to college at UND in Grand Forks.
Joe Peterson was an out-going, energetic, friendly, humorous, helpful, and pleasant young man. Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially enjoyed spending time with his favorite cousin, Luvenna Azure. He was so proud of her and loved her very much. Joe enjoyed playing basketball, fishing, bowling, cruising with friends, listening to music, chatting and networking with friends on the Internet. Joe was member of the JROTC at Devils Lake High School while he attended school there. He was recently a candidate for 2007 Prom King at Warwick High School. For summer employment, Joe worked on grain bins throughout North Dakota. He was a member of the Boxing Club in St. Michael. He was training and looking forward to his first bout. Joe Eugene was the kind of person that was easy-going, liked to joke around, very supporting and loving. His big smile and caring ways will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Although Joe’s life on earth was very brief, he left a legacy of love and caring for his family. Joe Eugene will be so very missed by his family and friends, but we shall hold his loving memory in our hearts forever. Joe may be gone, but he will never be forgotten to all that knew him.
Joe is survived by his loving Grandmother, Esther Abraham, St. Michael; loving Mother, Margo Gourd, St. Michael Stepfather, James Volk Jr, St. Michael; Father, Dennis Peterson Jr, Flandreau, SD
Brothers, Michael Peterson and Dion Peterson, St. Michael and Daniel Peterson, Flandreau, SD
Sisters: Jennie Peterson, St. Michael and Lavonna Peterson also of Flandreau
Paternal Grandmother: Judy Allen, Flandreau
Aunts and Uncles: June (Andrew Azure) Gourd, Jolene Crosswhite,
Lavonna Allen, Cindy Payer, Denise Cadotte and Garth Lauren
Cousins, Luvenna Heaven Azure and Glen Abraham
Many Great Aunts, Great Uncles and cousins also survive.
Joe was preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents, Melvina Gourd, Jennie and Jerome Abraham; uncle, Loren Gourd; maternal grandfather, Garry Gourd; paternal grandfather, Dennis Peterson Sr; cousins, John Yellowhammer, Mark Webber, Klo Redfox, and Marvin Anderson Jr; great uncle, Michael Abraham; great aunt, Eleanor Mazakahomni.