Obituary published on Legacy.com by Thomas Family Funeral Home on Oct. 15, 2025.
Marquita Peltier, 70, of Minot, entered the loving arms of Jesus on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Marquita Peltier, a daughter of Van and Mable Rose (Parisien) Counts, was born on August 11, 1955 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She attended elementary and high school at Dunseith Public. She proudly represented her graduating class of 1973 as the Homecoming Queen.
Following her education, she met and married Allan Peltier. From Their union came Nicole Louise, Bradley Joseph, and Courtney Marie Peltier. The marriage ended and Marquita relocated to Minot along with her 3 children.
Marquita enjoyed her life; she was a loving mother and grandmother. She raised her three children being a single parent, as well as working full-time. She always found a way to make the holidays a special time for her family. She loved decorating her home and cooking meals. Her children have fond memories of how she would go all out making a 5-course meal. She loved to make cookies and divinity candy for them, especially during Christmas.
Marquita's favorite pastime was crocheting. She created many beautiful full-sized afghans, which she tenderly gifted to people in her life. She also loved doing word search puzzles and would blow right through them, never having enough on hand.
Marquita loved the summers. She always looked forward to floating on the pontoon down the mouse river near Kenmare and spending time with her friends. Her favorite show was "All in the Family," her favorite character was Archie Bunker. She got a kick out of hearing Archie's sarcasm now and then. She enjoyed listening to music, her favorite song was by Roy Orbison "Pretty Woman". Marquita loved to laugh, loved teasing and joking around with friends and family, as well as enjoying a cold one.
She began her CNA career in the early 1980s and worked with various organizations throughout the city of Minot. She received many awards in recognition of her unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. In 2013, she left her CNA career and took a position at a local pharmacy. At the time, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer. She completed the cancer treatments and was ecstatic about ringing the bell. In her case, she was cancer free and beat it. Mom was a survivor in more ways than one.
She enjoyed visiting her grandchildren Cody and Trevor who would often tease and joke around with her. One day as they were visiting, they realized that she was the only grandparent left. They fondly referred to her as "The Last of the Mohicans", which she got a kick out of it. She will be greatly missed.
Marquita passed away leaving a table full of Halloween candy. She was eagerly waiting for the trick or treaters.
She is survived by: her children, Nicole (Terry), Bradley (Kristen) and Courtney and Cheryl Goodbird of Twin Buttes, ND, whom Marquita took in as a daughter; grandchildren, Cody and Trevor Davis, Alex and Lacy Peltier, twin girls Avery and Abigail Peltier; 7 great grandchildren all of Minot; sisters, Cheryl (Dennis) LaFloe, Karen (Leslie) Counts, Myrna (Terry) Decoteau all of Dunseith, Yvonne (Fabian) Strong of Coon Rapids, MN; brother, Dale Counts of
Minot, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
Marquita was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Colleen Reinhardt, and Susie Tipton, brother Bobby Counts and numerous aunts and uncles.