Thomas G. Peterson
Thomas George Peterson of Bemidji, passed away Sunday June 7, 2020, surrounded by his family, after a month long battle with encephalitis.
Tom was born February 6, 1943 in Crookston, Minnesota to Alfred and Helen (Heng) Peterson. He graduated from Crookston High in 1961 after which he attended Bemidji State Teacher’s College. Tom joined the Peace Corps and met his wife Linda during training after which they spent two years in India, returning home to Minnesota to marry in Minneapolis in October of 1967. Tom taught school in Barnesville, Minnesota until 1984 when he and Linda purchased the Bel Air Motel and moved their family to Bemidji. In 2002 Tom and Linda retired from the motel business and remained in Bemidji. Tom’s retirement was spent enjoying his grandchildren, volunteering with the local Lion’s Club and the Bemidji Community Foodshelf, finishing the inside construction of his cabin and managing his rental property. Tom also enjoyed being a news junkie and kept up with current events. In his later years he became more health conscious and spent several hours per day exercising and improving his fitness. Tom was avid about donating blood as often as allowed-- he was a four gallon donor!
Tom is survived by his wife Linda (Eide) Peterson; his sister Karen Byars of Spartanburg, SC; his children Hildy Peterson, Soonah Rossman (husband Mike), Phillip Peterson (wife Danyl), all of Bemidji, and Jeanne Becker (husband Mark) of Sartell, Minnesota; in addition, Tom leaves behind numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
We hope you will join us for a celebration of Tom’s life. An outdoor memorial service will be held Monday June 22nd, 2020 at 6:30 pm behind the Evangelical Covenant Church, 5405 Hart Ln NE, Bemidji, Minnesota. In the event of inclement weather the service will be held Tuesday June 23nd, 2020 at 6:30 pm. Social distancing will be observed at your comfort level. Please bring your own chairs for self service seating and if you prefer, wear a face mask. All memorials given will be presented to the Bemidji Lion’s Club.