Max Evan Kole Petersen

2013 - 2025

Max Evan Kole Petersen

January 3, 2013 - September 12, 2025

FLORENCE - Florence - Close your eyes. Imagine a soft and distant light growing warmer and brighter as it approaches. Soon, the heat of a cozy cabin's winter fire and the radiance of its flickering flames surround you. You feel loved. You are loved. This was Max.

Max is and will always be the beloved son of Kelly and Cody Petersen, who together create a loving home filled with homegrown laughter and roughhousing only parents of boys can understand! He left this world far too early, leaving innumerable shattered hearts with an unfillable void. He was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

Max's love for his family, especially his little brother Maverick, was boundless. He was truly his "brother's keeper." He spent hours teaching Maverick how to hit a baseball to get him ready for T-ball season. He and Mav also spent hours of summer fun at Swan Lake, where water sports were the name of the game! With the onset of the school year, Max made sure Mav was buckled in on the school bus and always walked him to class. He was protective, loyal, encouraging, and genuinely shared in his little brother's excitement. They were undoubtedly each other's favorite people. He was the kind of big brother every parent wants and every child dreams of.

Not only was he a super big brother, he was also a treasured friend. Max's friends would often call him for help with their math homework, and he would grab a pen and paper and get to work, loving every minute of it. He loved school, too, and cried if he had to stay home sick. He wanted to be an engineer, and given his intelligence, he would have been a good one.

From a young age, Max was drawn to sports. Six years of Little Guy Wrestling developed his self-confidence and physical and mental strength. He loved his wrestling coaches and all the friends he made.

Screaming at the top of his lungs to fire up his football team was all part of the game for Max. He excelled under the instruction of his coaches and learned the value of teamwork.

A true Montana boy of summer, he also loved baseball. It's hardly a surprise that his favorite position was catching, one of the most difficult positions in baseball. He was truly "at home" squatting behind the plate decked out in his catcher's gear!

Drag racing was in his blood. Hangin' out with the "Mad Irishman" team and helping back up his dad's funny car to the starting line was one of his favorite things to do.

Max loved to ride dirt bikes, winning several races over the last few years. Zooming around his Nene and Papa's with dirt flying from his rear wheel is one of many of their cherished memories.

All in all, Max's passion for sports and competitive drive were a constant source of pride for his parents and grandparents.

Though his twelve years were short, Max made a profound impact on those he met. His vibrant personality drew people out, making them feel valued and heard. He talked (and talked) to everyone, regardless of age, and was known just as much for his warmth and energy as his quick wit and ready smile. Those who knew him were truly blessed.

Max is survived by his Mom and Dad, Kelly and Cody Petersen; his little brother, Maverick Petersen; Grandparents, Louinda and Craig Petersen and Ken and Lauree Sayler. Great Grandparents Monty Petersen and LeEtta Holden Petersen, Richard and Marvene Raunig and Brad Williamson. His older siblings Ethan Eppard and Dakota Petersen. Nicole Petersen, his aunt Jessica Petersen and cousin Courtney Latham. He is preceded in death by his siblings Levi Pimm and Khloe Formway/Petersen, his aunt Ann Petersen, and his great-grandma Mary Williamson. He also leaves behind a cherished extended family, a community of friends, teachers, teammates, coaches, who will forever hold his memory close.

In closing, Max's family would like to share the following: "I will endure a lifetime of missing you for the privilege of loving you."

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Florence-Carlton High School Gym.

Reception to follow at the Bucs Baseball field. Please wear Max's favorite color, Dark or Navy blue to honor him.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.