Lois Jean Peterson

Lois Jean (Smedshammer) Peterson passed away Monday morning, September 14, 2026 at the St. Raphael SMP center in Valley City, North Dakota. Lois was born on August 14, 1928 in Hastings, North Dakota to Jacob and Clara (Rockswold) Smedshammer. Lois grew up on the Smedshammer farm with her four other siblings, Ethelyn, Myron, Arlys and Oren in the North LaMoure community. She was baptized at the North LaMoure Lutheran Church. Lois attended grade school at the country schoolhouse in North LaMoure before experiencing her high school years at Litchville Public School, graduating in 1946. Following high school, Lois attended Valley City Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota, and earned her teaching certificate. After college, she taught at a few local country schools in LaMoure and Ransom counties. On Friday June 15, 1951, Lois married Clinton Peterson at the North LaMoure Lutheran Church. They started their married lives together on a farm site located southwest of Hastings, ND. While there, they became the parents of two sons, Gregory in 1952 and Jerel in 1954. Clinton farmed the Peterson family farm with one of his brothers, Morris Peterson, starting in the late 1940’s. After a few years, Lois and Clinton and the boys moved to the Peterson homestead, just a half a mile west of Hastings. In 1960, a third son, Tom, was born. While Clinton managed the farming operation with Morris, Lois was fully in charge of the home activities. She cooked and baked meals and washed laundry not only for Clinton and their boys, but for hired hands employed by the Peterson Brothers during the early years. She would line up about 6-7 lunch pails for everyone before they left to work in the fields. Lois was widely known for making great baked goods, and the thinnest lefse in the area. Ja, You Betcha! Lois’ responsibilities didn’t end with home activities. For many years, she ran the old Massey combine (without an enclosed, air-conditioned cab) during harvest and during corn chopping season. She was very active in the Lutheran congregations in Hastings and Litchville, being involved in Ladies Aid, Ladies Circle and other positions in support of those spiritual communities. Together with Clinton and Lois, Morris and Ruthie Peterson (Morris’ wife), the Peterson farming operation ran as a partnership for nearly 60 years before retiring in the early 2000’s. Clinton and Lois enjoyed some adventures traveling in their later years but mostly enjoyed just being on the farm. In January 2010, Clinton passed away and Lois moved to Valley City later that year. Lois is survived by her three sons and their spouses, Greg (Genevieve), Jerel, and Tom (Rev. Susan), granddaughter Kendra Peterson, brother Oren Smedshammer, and sisters-in-law Nadine Smedshammer and Jeanette Smedshammer. Lois also has two step grandchildren Kelly Hopkins (Steve) and Jasun Spence, and step great grandchildren Brayden Durham, BreAnna Hopkins, Destiny Hopkins, Luke Hopkins, Alex Hopkins and Taylor Hopkins. There are numerous nieces and nephews that will also miss Lois. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Peterson, her parents Jacob and Clara (Rockswold) Smedshammer, mother/father-in-law Clara (Norberg) Peterson and Ole Peterson, brother Myron, sisters and spouses Ethelyn (Conrad Paulson) and Arlys (Ken Bates), in-laws Reynold (Irma) Peterson, LeRoy Peterson (Ida), Evelyn Neumann (Alvin), Harvey Peterson (Blanche) and Morris Peterson (Ruthie), nephews Bradley Paulson, Bradley Peterson and Barry Peterson, nieces Jennifer Bates and Paulette Andrud. The funeral service for Lois will be 1 pm Monday, September 21, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, Litchville, ND. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery, Hastings, ND. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Traditions Funeral Services, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com

Lois Jean Peterson

August 14, 1928 - September 14, 2026