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Grover Peterson Obituary
Born on August 5th, 1943, in Valley City, ND, Grover was raised by his grandparents, Leslie and Alma Peterson. He graduated from Valley City High School, earned his bachelor's degree at Valley City State University and his Master's degree in Music Education at the University of Illinois.
He married Joni Zimmerman in 1963.
Grover embarked on his teaching career prior to graduation, teaching his first bands at Sanborn High School. After graduation, he taught in Tower City, ND; Valley City, ND, and Moorhead, MN before moving to Billings along with his family including 4 children in 1974.
Grover taught band at Lewis & Clark Junior High, West High School and several elementary schools in Billings. Even after retiring from teaching in public schools, he maintained a music studio in his home, which produced many All-State and All-NW band members. He continued to teach his 3 youngest grandsons via Skype until his last days.
Grover came to know the Lord in 1977. He became active in Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus ministries, and took every opportunity to engage with strangers, family, and friends.
His greatest joys in his later years were spending time with his family, the ongoing study of the Christian life and sharing his faith and purpose with others.
Grover was preceded in death by his son, Damon Grover in 1968, and two of his granddaughters.
Grover is survived by his wife, Joni. 4 Children: Paige (Jake Ellison) of Missoula, MT; Travis (Margaret) of Jacksonville, FL; Joshua (Nancy) of Mascoutah, IL; and, Noah (Marina) of San Antonio, TX; 16 Grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
The family held a private farewell for Grover. In lieu of services, the family invites you to visit https://memorialsource.com/memorial/grover-peterson to leave your condolences and fond memories of Grover.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Grover Peterson
Mike Yakawich
March 30, 2025
Dear Peterson Family: My wife and I send you our most sincere condolences. I just now came to hear of Grover's passing. He was a fireball of knowledge, passion, committment to a cause and always willing to carry on a robust discussion. Indeed, he will be missed. We pray for all your family that his memories may brighten up your day as your heart heals from the loss of this good man. With our love and prayers, sincerely yours, State Senator Mike and Yukiko Yakawich
Erik Krueger
October 26, 2024
Grover, a true and patriot and wonderful neighbor. We will miss your great conversations.
Tom Anderson
August 24, 2024
Hi Grover! It´s Tom Anderson who you knew before Joni became your wife. We go back to the early 1960´s when you moved to East Main Street in Valley City from Daisy, North Dakota. You were living with your aunt and uncle who owned a small grocery store about six houses from me. (They would call it a mini-mart now.) You were one year ahead of me in high school (Go HiLiners!)
We became best friends and walked about a mile to and from school. You wrestled (a very good athlete) and I played basketball, but what we had in common was music; we were both in the band and sat beside each other playing saxophone. That leads me to my story:
We were graded in band by playing a solo scale in front of everybody. When I finished, the director always said, "That was good, but you have to work on your tone!" During one test, I put the mouthpiece in my mouth but you played the scale (the director always had his head down listening). When you finished, he said "That was good but you have to work on your tone!" Everyone in the band knew what happened and laughed.
You graduated and went on to Valley City State Teachers College, became a member of the EBC´s (a music society - they didn´t have fraternities), and majored in music. You also became one of eight members of the Kampus Knights (later called the Dick Wagner Orchestra as he financed it). I joined the orchestra as the only person still in high school that first year. We played in dances all over the tri-state area until you graduated. There are so many stories, everyone would be bored.
While in college, we both got married - I was your best man and you were mine. Then time came between us after we graduated.
After about 30 years, you called me. I told you Mom always told me not to talk about religion or politics. You said, "I´m calling about politics and religion." Even though we have very different views, I respected yours. The letters you wrote to your family, and shared with me, were/are wonderful. Not so much the articles you sent that others wrote, but I enjoyed what you had to say.
You are missed, I didn´t get to hug you, but I told you many times I LOVE YOU May you rest in peace!
Nancy Fowler
August 20, 2024
I so appreciated Grove and his enthusiasm for sharing the gospel with people. I watched him share with a college student about her purpose in a way I will never forget. Nancy Fowler
Patrick Webb
August 20, 2024
Grover was a new friend I made just this year and gave me a great boost of morale when I first began my role with the MT Family Foundation. I met Grover at a presentation I gave in Billings. Following my hour long presentation, Grover came up to me and asked, 'Did you steal that presentation from me?" I was a bit surprised and I am slow to sarcasm, I replied, "No". Grover told me that he has been working through his life to encapsulate the information I presented like I did and added that it was really excellent. Grover was the type of man who commanded respect in the rooms he was in and I was struck by this and very appreciative. Grover valued Liberty and dedicated much of his time working to advance human freedom. He loved God and recognized those who were on that path similarly. I look forward to spending more time visiting with him one day when I am called home as well.
Marshall Leary
August 18, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Paige Ellison
August 18, 2024
Dear Friends and Family, please see extended obituary here: https://memorialsource.com/memorial/grover-peterson as well as other posts by friends and family.
Julia Robison
August 16, 2024
Grover was and will continue to be an inspiration to me, as to many who have crossed his path. His fervent passion for serving the Lord and connecting with people is an example I hope to follow. I am blessed to have known him for a brief time. I will miss him!
Jay Prichard
August 13, 2024
Grover was one of the most intense men I have ever met. When he gave his heart to Christ and to evangelism there was no holding back. Finding new life in Christ was so exhilarating he could not understand why anyone would turn down the free gift offered to all.
But he was also very community minded and the last time I talked to him, he was greatly concerned about crime in our city of Billings. He wanted lay men and women to rise up and get involved and organized to fight back against lawlessness. Grover was a fighter to the end.
Jay Prichard
Richard lee Remington
August 13, 2024
My condolences to the family at this difficult time! He was an inspiring man who loved the Lord and tried to make this country a better place!
Rita Graeber
August 12, 2024
Oh, Grover - so many memories. The memories of the many Bible studies in you and Joanie's home. All your wise advice, all of the laughter, the memories of sharing the Walk memories --- I truly appreciated you! Joanie and family, my heart hurts for you. Getting to meet the family down through those years also created precious memories. Thanks for everything that you instilled in my life. Precious, precious memories.
Laurie Brenden
August 12, 2024
I am so very sorry to hear of Grovers passing. Grover was a close friend of my parents Frank and Evelyn Richardson for decades and a mentor to my son in law, D'Vaughn Hayes. He was loved by each of them and gave his friendship and love to each of them during his life. Grover and Joni are such special people and I know Grover is in Heaven dancing and rejoicing with his savior. Sending hugs.
Frank
August 12, 2024
Grover my friend walked with me and talked with me, and ran many races with me. My dear friend you have finished well all the task before you. Until we run.
Va con dios.
Taylor M.
August 12, 2024
I have many fond memories of Theological discussions with 'old man Grover' (as he insisted I call him) throughout 2017 and 2018. I enjoyed playing the gadfly to his gadfly. I was truly impressed by his deep knowledge of not only the Bible, but philosophy, history, literature and many other domains of human knowledge. I trust he now has began to ascertain the summum bonum, the ultimate knowledge. I am many years behind him.
In pace requiescat.
With Agape,
Taylor M.
Mark Holle
August 11, 2024
Like many, Grover was one of my band teachers at West. After graduating in 1982, I would run into him every now and then over the years. Each time it was "Oh yes, the trumpet player". That was nice since I wasn´t a very memorable musician. Thankful to have him all those years ago.
Mark Jordan
August 10, 2024
Grover was my Elementary, Junior High , and High School band teacher. He was the one that inspired me to want to become a band teacher when I was in Elementary school. I went on to teach elementary general music and band, junior high band, high school band and choir, and guitar for 33 years because of his influence.
Denny Irion
August 10, 2024
I am privileged to be able to have called Grover my friend. We had found memories of having competed against and with each other in the Big Sky State games. The last time we ran the 100 meter, he beat me and he was 10 years older. I know of no one personally who worked as hard at trying to make his community better (i.e. reduce crime in Billings) and to help people's eternity.
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