Obituary | Mary Lou Peters of Bowman, North Dakota | Krebsbach Funeral Service (2024)

Mary Lou Paulson Peters 91, passed away on October 21st,2023 at Southwest Healthcare Long Term Care, Bowman, ND. Mary Lou was born on December 7th, 1931. She was the fourth child of Matt and Edith (Townsend) Paulson’s family which grew to include another daughter and an adopted son. She was born in Bowman, ND and raised on Sunny Hill Farm, in Gem Township, south of Bowman. The farm house where she learned to make lefsa and flat bread, sew her own clothes, and quilt, is still in the Paulson Family. Many Sunday afternoons were spent “at home” thanks to the loving kindness of her niece Kim, who now lives in the original house.

Mary Lou was baptized and confirmed at Grand River Lutheran Church. She attended Gem Country School. She fondly remembered her teacher, Mary Rotering, and said the best part of her day was riding horse to and from school. It could be said that Mary Lou was a bit of a tomboy, she would rush through her chores in the house so she could get outside to help “Daddy” with the animal chores. Horses were her favorite and she complained that her dad would 0nly buy sensible work horses, strong and steady. It was her brother Paul that would bring home a horse of beauty but not much good at pulling a wagon.

Mary Lou attended Bowman High School, graduating in 1949. It was reported in the Bowman Bulldog News Volume X,Monday February 28th, 1949 in the personalities column that,Mary Lou dislikes high heels and anklets but likes working outside. After graduating from high school, Mary Lou attended Rapid City College of Business with her friend Lennice (Werre)Kempenich. After attending for a short time, homesickness got the best of Mary Lou, so she returned home to the farm.

Mary Lou met her future husband, Emery Peters, while hanging out at the Clara Lincoln Café with her friend Jenny (Lutes)Mason. Mary Lou and Emery were married on February 4th, 1951 at the Baker Lutheran Church with Emery’s brother Gene and his wife Laura there to witness the beginning of their life as husband and wife.

Mary Lou and Emery made their home in Bowman. It was a busy life to which 6 children were born. Barbara (stillborn), Glenda, Alan, Shari, Matt, and Amy. Amy was just shy of her second birthday when Emery was killed in a trucking accident. With the help of family and friends, Mary Lou heroically raised her children, guiding them along with unconditional love. When her sons in law, Aber and Greg, joined her family, they would tease her about who was her favorite. There was no favorite. Mary Lou watched as her grandchildren grew from infants into adults, always curious about what they enjoyed, how school or work was going, sharing little bits of wisdom with them and calling for football picks.

Mary Lou’s love of the outdoors took her on many camping trips, picnics, and drives. She treasured her visits to Alan’s to see the horses. If she did happen to be inside, she was either watching Jeopardy or The Cowboy Channel. She could watch the same rodeo ten times over and still enjoy it.

After Emery’s death, Mary Lou formed a close-knit group of friends including her sister Ethel, sister-in-law Helen, and neighbor Jenny Volk. They enjoyed traveling together, playing cards, a competitive game of Scrabble, and going to fall dinners at churches near and far.

Mary Lou worked as a cook at Bowman Public School for several years. She especially enjoyed working with the students who helped in the kitchen. She was a member of the 3 in 1 Homemakers Club, Sons of Norway, Sod Busters, and Bowman Lutheran Church.

As Mary Lou’s health began to fail, she moved out of her home into an assisted living facility in Rapid City, SD. It was a big leap for her. She accepted the change with grace, making new friends and staying active in the assisted living community,always up for a trip to Jerry’s Donuts. Her time in Rapid City gave her an opportunity to spend time with her sister Ruthie, Orand and Jenny. In 2016 an apartment became available at Sunrise Village, back in Bowman. Mary Lou was happy to move back home to be closer to her children and extended family. Bowman was home, and it was where she wanted to be as her life drew to a close.

Mary Lou is survived by her sister Ruthie Liebelt, sisters-in-lawPatricia Peters and Sharon Paulson, brother-in-law Gene Peters, her children Glenda Peters, Alan (Lisa) Peters, Shari (Aber)Krinke, Matt (Sabine) Peters, and Amy (Greg) Andersen. Her grandchildren Mychal Peters, Wendy Peters, Cortney (Peters)Andersen, Tyson, Shawn, and Devin Krinke, Alisha Chorba, Sydney and Zack Andersen. Great grandchildren Cody and Avery Berdahl, Gage and Sawyer Andersen, Quinn and Elliott Krinke, Emery and Sunden Krinke, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents Matt and Edith Paulson, her husband Emery and daughter Barbara, brothers Paul, Floyd and Freddy, sister Ethel Sedevie, sisters- in- law Helen Anderson and Doris Mosbrucker, and brothers- in- law Tom and Paul Peters.

“In Quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15.

Memorials suggested to Bowman Lutheran Church, Badlands Bible Ministries, and Bowman Cemetery Association ( PO Box 794, Bowman, ND).

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