Gary Peters
Gary Peters, 84 of Viking, MN passed away on Tuesday July 23, 2024 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND with his loving family by his side.
Visitation will be on Monday, July 29, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM (lunch will be served), at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. The service to celebrate Gary’s life will be at 6:30 PM on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Burial will follow at the Viking Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Gary Delray Peters was born August 4, 1939, at Mercy Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN to John and Selma (Holden) Peters. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Viking, MN. Gary attended Viking School House through the 8th grade and attended Newfolden High School. For work as a youngster, Gary bagged, shoveled and tied sacks of potatoes.
On April 16, 1963, Gary was drafted into the Army. He worked as a Track Vehicle Technician and was decorated with Marksman (Rifle M-14) award. Gary was honorably discharged on April 2, 1965. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Gary worked at the Drayton Beet Plant for one year, and for Lakehead Pipeline for a short time. In 1968, Gary started at Arctic Cat where he worked as a Machinist. He retired from Artic Cat in July of 2014.
Gary was united in marriage to Rae Ann Olson and later to Sharyl Redden.
Gary lived on the Peters Family Farm throughout his entire life. He enjoyed working on the family farm, farming the land, and lending a hand to anybody who needed help.
Gary enjoyed deer hunting and the entire festivities surrounding it with him and many generations of family, “The Viking Bad Boys”. He braved through many fishing openers with his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed ice fishing, holy boards, horseshoes at picnics, dancing, gardening and woodworking. He loved getting together with Chuck Swenson and anyone else who showed up to play cards every Sunday for over 45 years. In his last years, he enjoyed daily trips to town with his canine sidekick, Bud.
Gary was an active member of 4H, the Thief River Falls Bowling League, and a dart league at Carpenter’s Corner. In his younger years was pitcher for the Viking Varmints softball team. Gary had a great sense of humor and was the best finger puller you’ve ever seen.
Gary treated everyone the same way no matter what. He was a jack of all trades. Gary had no filter, telling you like it was, and was a genuine “old guy!”.
Gary was a proud father of Chad (Shelly) Peters of Viking, MN, Kris (Scott) Mostrom of Thief River Falls and Matthew (Lisa) Peters of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Cody (Stephanie) Peters, Ayden, Maverick, & Stephie Peters, Kassidy & Kaden Mostrom, Bradly & Samuel Peters; great-grandsons, Azure & Kyzer Peters; siblings, Bonita “Bonnie” Alafouzos of Wausau, WI and Jerome (Cheryl) Peters of Viking, MN; sister-in-law, JoAnn Peters of Viking, MN. Gary was also a proud step-father to Jeff Redden of Crookston, MN and Jenny Redden of Newfolden, MN and their children and grandchildren, Tanya, Jerry, Lee, Austin, Amber and Rylyn; his canine sidekick, Bud; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald Peters and Wayne Peters; sister-in-law, Fern Peters Bock; and brother-in-law, George Alafouzos.
