Daniel Peter

1970 - 2022

Daniel Peter
Daniel "Dan" David Peter, age 52, passed away on December 25th 2022 at his home outside of Circle, MT.
Dan was born in the town of Pigeon in Huron County Michigan on Friday July 10th 1970. He was the youngest child and only boy born to Melvin and Grace Peter. He was welcomed into the world by his "much older" sisters Ella, Carol, and Janet.
Dan was always a wild child and getting into mischief per stories told around his family kitchen table. One story that would surface anytime family was together was when Grace had "lost" Dan and he was quickly found atop the bale elevator going into the hay-mow at 4 years old. Grandma and Grandpa had to think of timeout other than putting him on the top of the refrigerator as he was obviously not afraid of heights. Another time, Dan got so upset Melvin left him at home to go do field work that as a 6 year old he walked a mile down the road to go find his dad and ride on the tractor, leaving everyone at home franticly looking for him.
His mischievous ways didn't cease and followed him well into adulthood, often helping to make the wild ideas of his 3 boys into realities. Whether it was bringing the tractor over to the trampoline to act as an elevated platform to do tricks off of, which he joined in on, or teaching the boys how to "properly" attach a rubber band to the kitchen faucet sprayer to accurately drench the next unsuspecting target to use it. (Sorry Aunt Carol)
Dan's love of adventure continued onto running his own hounds coon hunting, walking the creeks of Huron County fishing for suckers and bluegill, and sitting on stone piles waiting for the big buck to walk out of the woods of Michigan. Eventually this turned to hunting coyotes on the prairies, tubing and fishing on Fort Peck, and scouring the Missouri Breaks for elk in Montana.
On October 9th, 1993, Dan married Anna Strand and over the course of 5 years had 3 boys just as rambunctious and adventurous as their father. After they were married, Dan worked for his cousin Orin's water well drilling business. In 2001 they moved cross country to Montana, where he worked for his father-in-law's business, Strand's Farm Supply. Eventually after Marvin retired, Dan went to work in the oilfields of eastern Montana and western North Dakota for Nabor's Drilling, working his way up to the position of Driller. Dan was an active member of the Circle Volunteer Fire Department, often competing in footraces to be the first to respond, McCone County 4-H, and Masonic Lodge. He spent his free time working on vehicles, playing paintball, and helping the boys with their 4-H animals. He enjoyed playing "Michigan" card games like Euchre and Crazy King as well as learning Whist well enough to join the north Circle traveling card parties. A traumatic brain injury in the fall of 2011 sent him into early retirement where he spent the days playing solitaire, watching old westerns, and helping his boys and neighbors whenever they called.
Although practical jokes were his specialty, he always made sure his boys would succeed in life with the life lessons, practical knowledge, and personal values. He taught us the value of hard work and sacrifice, the ones you care for come first, when life knocks you down get up and rub some dirt on it, and to always think outside the box. If he ever asked "What do you know today?" and you responded with "it takes a big dog to weigh a ton." He would no doubt chime in and remind you "or a bunch of puppies".
Dan was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Grace Peter, niece and nephew Sarah and Joshua Thurmond.
Dan is survived by his sons Michael Peter, David Peter, and Eric Peter, his sisters Ella (Dean) Weltin, Carol (David) Thurmond, and Janet (Bert) Soper, and his many nieces and nephews and friends.
The family would welcome stories, remembrances, and cards to be sent to 453 Spring Creek Road, Circle MT 59215.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Circle, MT. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Circle, MT. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.