Joel C. Peterson

Joel Peterson, 60, of Devils Lake, ND passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Eventide-Jamestown after a battle with Huntington’s Disease.

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, November 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake ND. There will be a time of fellowship at the Elks Lodge in Devils Lake with burial to follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, at Fessenden, ND.  Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 pm with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake led by Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon.

Joel Curtis Peterson was born December 9, 1962 in Jamestown, ND, son of Einer ‘Pete’ and Delores (Neva) Peterson. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Fessenden, ND where Joel was raised.  He attended Fessenden Public School, graduating with the class of 1981.

Following graduation, Joel attended lineman school in Bismarck, ND.  He was employed by Otter Tail Power Company as a lineman and later a Service Representative in Devils Lake from 1983 till his battle with Huntington’s Disease forced him to retire in 2016 after 33 years. Joel loved his job and serving his community.  

Joel married Sharyl (Hoffart) Peterson June 1, 1990, and together they had two children, a daughter, Cheslyn and a son, Brett.  They established their home in Devils Lake, where they lived, worked, and raised their family. Joel was a father who loved his family.  He was always there, cheering them on.  

Joel was a member of Devils Lake Elks Lodge, serving at Exalted Ruler from 1994-1995.  He was an avid NDSU Bison Football fan, rarely missing a home game.  We will always cherish and remember the memories of tailgating and road tripping to Frisco to cheer the Bison onto their National Championships with family and friends. 

Joel, known to his friends as ‘Rookie’, enjoyed golfing in the summers and snowmobiling in the winters.  He and his brother, Terry enjoyed many snowmobile trips together. He had a love for cooking, especially grilling. There was always a good meal on the table when Joel was cooking.  He loved going to the lake, whether it be to special friends at Woodlake, or his daughter and sons-in-law on Eastbay.  Joel’s smile and way to make everyone laugh will be so greatly missed. The memories will be cherished forever.

Joel is survived by his daughter, Cheslyn (Trevor) Stromme and son, Brett (fiance Erika Kratochvil) Peterson, both of Devils Lake, mother Delores Peterson of Jamestown, brother Terry (Charlene) Peterson of Fargo, sister LouAnn (Ray) Sazama of Perham, his grandchildren Brekken and Carson Stromme of Devils Lake, mother of his children Sharyl Peterson of Devils Lake, nieces Sheena (Tate) Miller, Jodi (Jordan) Koll, Stefanie (Dustin) Hagemann, nephews Sean Peterson, Cory (Laura) Kiemele, 3 great-nephews and 2 great-nieces, many cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father, Einer (Pete) Peterson, brother Roger Peterson, maternal grandparents Adolph and Margaret Neva, paternal grandparents Einer Peterson, Steve and Helen Russell, and other beloved family.

Casket bearers for Joel will be Chuck Kessler, Sean Peterson, Cory Kiemele, Tony Prozinski, Cary Eriksson, and Tate Miller. Gift bearers will be his beloved grandchildren, Brekken and Carson Stromme. Reading the scripture will be his niece, Sheena Miller.