Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Julie Peterson
Julie Peterson, 62, died unexpectedly Friday, June 28, 2024, at her home in Robinson, ND, after a recent cancer diagnosis.
Julie Ann Gussiaas was born Feb. 28, 1962, in Carrington, the second of Luverne and Beatrice (Heintz) Gussiaas’ five children. She was raised on the family farm northeast of Carrington. She graduated from Carrington High School in 1980 and attended Capital Commercial Business College in Bismarck.
Julie married her high school sweetheart, Keith Peterson, on Sept. 18, 1982, in Carrington. They lived in Colorado and Utah, following Keith’s linework before moving to Robinson in 1984 with their infant son, Dustin. Julie made it clear Robinson was another temporary stop on the road leading back home to Carrington. “Two years,” she compromised. Darin followed a few years later, and Nellie completed the family in 1989. Julie and Keith raised their kids alongside other young Robinson families, and two years in Robinson happily turned into 40.
Julie’s house was the neighborhood hub of activity. There were always kids around, playing baseball outside on the field Keith made or shooting hoops in Julie’s living room where the basketball hoop hung. She ran an in-home day care for 15 years, even bringing the last neighborhood baby with her to work at an auto diesel repair, when she closed the business in the 1990s. Her home was a safe and fun place for kids.
No one went hungry at Julie’s house. She learned early in Robinson how to stock her fridges, freezers and pantry like a grocery store. She was a tremendous cook and was always making a meal for others – for a benefit or funeral, for a new mom or recent widow, and always for her family. Favorites included her chicken and rice, red steak and seasoned pretzels.
Julie enjoyed flower gardening, hosting and event planning. She was an organizer of people, resources and community. Whether a soup and sandwich fundraiser at work, a luncheon at church, her kids’ weddings and home projects, a trip with her girlfriends, or the countless events for which she volunteered, Julie knew how to plan, organize and get things done. Or she knew someone who knew someone. Julie could rally volunteers who paid it forward from a kindness she had previously extended herself. And she missed her calling as a salesman. She could sell a cape to Superman, but only if it meant using her powers for good, for another’s benefit.
She cared about her community and desired to help people. For the past 21 years, she worked for the Kidder County Ambulance. Following the loss of her husband to cancer in 2011, Julie was one of six area women who started the Kidder County Angels, a nonprofit which provides gas vouchers to local people battling chronic illnesses.
She maintained a close group of girlfriends since grade school, but adopted a gaggle of friends throughout her life, in Robinson and Steele. They traveled together, laughed together and cried together.
Nothing meant more to Julie than her family. She raised her three children to be best friends, kind, giving and accepting of others. She was proud of them and protective of them. While only Dustin, Darin and Nellie were blessed to call her “Mom,” Julie was a mom to all. She treated her daughters- and son-in-law like her own, was a motherly figure for her siblings and looked out for people like only a mom could. Her grandkids were the loves of her life. Grandma Jules was the treasure of theirs.
She celebrated our wins and loved us through our mistakes. She always had our backs. She was our rock.
Julie will be eternally missed and loved by her children, Dustin (Kristin), Robinson, Darin (Cally), Steele, and Nellie (Mike) Wachter, Steele; grandchildren, Dylan and Everett Peterson, Robinson, and Owen and Kylie Wachter, Steele; siblings, Janel (Rick) Harrington, Mike (Stacey) Gussiaas and Joel (Marvae) Gussiaas, all of Carrington, and Becki Wolf, Steele; sister-in-law, Cheryl Peterson, Carrington; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; parents, Luverne and Beatrice Gussiaas; parents-in-law, Ray and Lois Peterson; and nephew, Jarett Wolf.
Cancer knew it didn’t stand a chance against Julie, so it didn’t give her the time to fight. So, take the family picture. Make dinner for your family. Sit together and enjoy the company of others. Be kind. And always, always take care of each other.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Kidder County Angels or the Kidder County Swimming Pool.
Visitation: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 4:00PM – 6:00PM, with a Rosary & Vigil Service beginning at 6:00PM, all at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele, ND
Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 10:00AM at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele, ND
Burial: Bethany Cemetery, Robinson, ND
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Dustin, Darin, Nellie, and all of your families,
I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.
We are so deeply saddened and sorry to hear of Julie’s passing. She was such a kind, uplifting and giving woman. May God bless her memory to all who knew and loved her. Prayers for her loving family.
Dustin and family, we send you our deepest sympathy and prayers in this difficult time.
We are so sorry to hear of Julie’s passing. We enjoyed getting to know her these past few summers in Alexandria. She was so excited to have family together. We enjoyed chit chatting with her and it was very clear how much she loved her family. You are all in our prayers in this difficult time.
What a shock, I am so sorry to hear about Julie. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. She was very special.
I will always be grateful to Julie when I had my accident she took care of me in the ambulance. Prayers to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
You were all blessed with having such a beautiful person in your lives. Although we did not know Julie personally she sounds like an angel, like the group she was involved in.
Our deepest sympathies.
Mike & Nona Flick
May the precious memories of a life well lived comfort you at this most difficult time. Our deepest sympathies to her family.
Al and Carmen Kary
Julie’s attitude toward everyone was uplifting. Her laugh and smile was contagious. Jeff and I send our love and are hurting with you in all this.
Julie – you ARE so loved, be at peace and know you are with the love of your life. God has you!. You were an inspiration of how to treat people, you left a wonderful legacy!
I’m so sorry for your family. Julie was a classmate of mine and we had many laughs together! She will be greatly missed by all.
so sorry for the loss.
So sorry to read of Julie’s passing. Our condolences to the Gussiaas family & the Peterson family. May she rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of your loss, our prayers go out to all of the family. May she rest in Peace.
I will miss you, Jules.
Our sincere condolences to Julies Family, Another loss way too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Thinking of Julie’s family and long time close friends. May she rest in peace.
My heart is broken for Julie’s Family. She was a wonderful lady. She always reminded me of her mother in so many ways. I know Keith was waiting with open arms to welcome the love of his life.
Prayers for you all
I was saddened to hear of Julie’s passing. I remember her as a young girl and all the fun our families had together. She will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Julie and I were classmates and I will never forget her smile and laughter. She will be missed!
May the beautiful memories of Julie help you through the difficult times. She was a classmate and a beautiful soul! Thoughts and Prayers to you all.
I was so sorry to hear of Julie’s passing. We were classmates and enjoyed lots of laughs. She will be missed!
So sorry for the loss of such a beautiful woman. Obviously a heart of gold! What a legacy she left behind! We should all strive to be such a wonderful person!
May God give you comfort for your loss and joy for having been a part of her beautiful life!
To the Gussiaas and Peterson families… so sorry for the loss of Julie. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. Her caring ways of always reaching out her hand to all, her smile and laughter she shared will be truly missed.
Ken and I are so sorry of hearing of Julie’s passing. We have memories of our arrival to Robinson and Keith’s visit on his 4 wheeler. We enjoyed their friendship! Dustin, Darin and Nellie remember the great times you all had together!
Sending thoughts & prayers to all the family. May your precious memories bring you comfort. 🤗
So very sorry for your loss Darin, Cally and family! Thinking of you during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss..
Such a Wonderful person..
May God’s loving presence
surround you now and the days to come…
Our hearts our sad hearing of Julie’s passing. What an amazing woman who was loved and cherished by so many. May her love for you be forever felt. Hold tight those treasured memories. Smile, laugh and cry when the feelings hit you. God’s blessings to you all and may peace reside in your hearts.
I am so sadden to hear of Julie’s passing, we were classmates and I so cherish all the memories I have of her.
May the good Lord comfort you all and bring you peace.
RIP Julie.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts & prayers for your family!
Thoughts hugs and prayers to family for comfort and peace. Julie was a classmate and friend to all. Rip in peace until we meet again.
Condolences to Dustin, Darren, Nellie and the rest of the Peterson family.
Julie was a wonderful lady and a tremendous positive influence on all the kids growing up in Robinson. She is deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends! May you be granted a peace that passes understanding, and may God’s love be known through your support of each other.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gussiaas and Peterson families.
We are greatly saddened by Julie’s passing. We will miss talking to Julie and hearing her great voice and seeing her wonderful smile through the telephone line. She inherited her great features from her mother Beatrice .
Our prayers are with her and the family and friends she left behind.
I was so saddened to hear of Julie’s passing. She was a special lady and she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers to her family.