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Sept. 12, 1940-Aug. 1, 2026
Minot
Joseph O. Peterson, 85, Minot, formerly of Granville and Norwich, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, in a Minot Hospital.
Joe was born on September 12, 1940, to Ingvald and Kathrine (Blake) Peterson in Minot, North Dakota. He was the 10th child of eleven children. Joe attended school in Norwich until his senior year of high school when he transferred to Granville High School as he was the last student in his grade. He graduated in 1958 and enlisted in the US Navy shortly after. Joe was honorably discharged in 1961.
Joe married the love of his life, Jo Ann Self, on June 13, 1963. They lived in Minot for their first 11 years before moving to Longview, WA calling it home for the next 42 years. They returned to North Dakota and lived in Granville for 5 years before moving permanently to Minot. They were also snowbirds enjoying Mesa, AZ for 12 years.
Joe and Jo Ann met while both working at Gaffney's in Minot. He also worked for Souris River Telephone before they moved to Washington. Joe spent 29 years working at Longview Fibre Papermill, where he drove a front-end loader. Joe was very proud of his tenure at the papermill.
Joe and Jo Ann spent many years camping whether it was in their pickup camper, motor home or 5th wheel travel trailer. They loved camping near the ocean.
Joe and Jo Ann spent lots of time volunteering together every year in Longview over the Christmas Season for the Salvation Army Christmas Center. Joe also enjoyed volunteering at the Norsk Hostfest in Minot for 15 plus years.
Joe loved spending time with family. He just loved to talk and always had a story or two to tell. Joe never met a stranger!
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jo Ann of Minot; sister Liz (Doug) Bacon of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; sister-in-law Joyce (Clarence) Peterson of Minot; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ingvald and Kathrine; his siblings, Margaret (Blaine) Barsness, Lavere (Betty) Peterson, Anna Mae Hanson, Emily (Chuck) Ward, Esther (Bob) Larson, Donald Peterson, Clarence Peterson, David (Vi) Peterson and Olga (Duane) Enbody.
Celebration of Life for Joseph O. Peterson: 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026 at First Lutheran Church, Granville, ND.
To view a recording of the service (available 8/8) or to share memories and condolences access www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com
Interment: Norwich Lutheran Church Cemetery, Norwich, ND
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.
Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot is entrusted with arrangements.
Published by The Minot Daily News, August 5, 2026.