Watch Johns Funeral Mass

John Peterick, age 80, of Twin Valley, MN, formerly Mahnomen, MN, died January 8, 2021, in the Benedictine Care Community, Ada, MN

John Curtis Peterick was born May 26, 1940, at the Curtis Hotel in Argyle, MN, the son of Joe and Irene (Kvamme) Peterick. During World War II, his family lived in Milwaukee, WI, and shortly thereafter they moved to Twin Valley to raise their family. John attended both grade school and high school in Twin Valley, where he was active in sports and school activities. After graduating with the class of 1958, he enrolled at Moorhead State College, in Moorhead, MN receiving his education degree in 1962. On June 11, 1960, John was united in marriage to Janice Samshal, at St. William Catholic Church in Twin Valley. The first two years of his career, he taught and coached in Erskine, MN. In 1964, they moved to Mahnomen where John spent the remainder of his career teaching math and coaching. He was awarded the Johnson O'Malley (JOM) Award several times during his teaching career, which was an honor he truly cherished. He served as assistant coach for both the offensive and defensive lines for the Mahnomen Indians football team. During that time, the Mahnomen Indians went to state numerous times and were State Champions several of those years. He was awarded the Butch Nash Minnesota High School Assistant Coach Award. John was also known for his excellence as a high school wrestling referee throughout northern Minnesota. He retired from teaching full time in 1998, after 36 years of dedicated service. John enjoyed many years of deer hunting and fishing, especially catching walleye while living at their home on North Twin Lake near Naytahwaush, MN. John later moved to Twin Valley. In 2008, he met Letty Hoekstra. On December 16, 2012, John and Letty were united in a committed union at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. They had many years of happiness together. He extended his teaching career working as a substitute teacher with the Norman County East, Mahnomen and Waubun school districts.

John's life was genuinely committed to his family, the school, and his community. Over the years, his civic duty called him to volunteer with many organizations. He served as a County Commissioner, City Council member, Knights of Columbus, and volunteered at the Mahnomen Fire Department. He was also devoted to the Catholic church and was active in both St Michael's and St. William parishes.

John is survived by three daughters: Catherine (Mark) Sauer, St. Cloud, MN, Christine Lundsetter, Alexandria, MN, and Elizabeth (Tom) Stemn, Lake in the Hills, IL; three sons: Paul (Sandra), Thief River Falls, MN, Thomas (Tamara), Hatton, ND, and Mark of Bismarck, ND. One brother Phillip (Margaret) Peterick, and one sister, Mary Katherine "Kay" Peterick, all of Twin Valley, MN. Twelve grandchildren: Michelle, Katie, Jared, Angie, Derek, Jessica, Allison, Thonetta, Thyra, Theodore, Gavin and Sofia. Seven great grandchildren: London, Franklin, Luke, Emma, Ella, Miles and Ivan. Significant other, Letty Hoekstra, Twin Valley, and all of her family. He is preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Janice; and one son-in-law, Keith Lundsetter.

The family is grateful for all of the care and support John received and would like to especially thank the people of Benedictine Care Community of Ada, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Mahnomen Health Center, and Sanford Health.

A Public Walk-through visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN. Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at St. William Catholic Church in Twin Valley. Burial will be at St. William Catholic Cemetery in Twin Valley, following the funeral Mass. Memorials are preferred to Mahnomen High School or Dollars for Scholars, Norman County East High School.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate. For those not wishing to attend Mass in person, the service will be livestreamed on our Facebook, as well as recorded and viewable on the funeral home website shortly after the service on Thursday.