Mom was born on September 19, 1929 to Gaar Sr. Thomas & Mae Herbst Thomas in Fairview, Montana. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1947 and was prom queen in her senior year. As a young girl she worked at the Fairview Bank, cleaned houses, and babysat to earn money. She also worked at a clothing store where she developed her sense of style.

Mom married Ray Adam Peterson on January 15, 1949. Mom and Dad were baptized together after they were married. They became members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, some years later, with the encouragement of Pastor Chambers.

Mom became the wife of a farmer and with that she taught herself to cook. She was a wonderful baker too! We all benefited from her labors. In the month of December, she would bake a new treat for her family every day to enjoy. Christmas tins were everywhere! She never bought a cake, and she loved decorating those cakes as well! Our family favorite was the Wesson Chocolate Cake.

The family began with the birth of a son, Ron, in 1952. In 1964, Mom and Dad left the Fairview farm and moved to Sidney. A new community and raising a family kept her busy. In Sidney they became members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Many, many happy days were spent at their cabin on Fort Peck with family and their lifelong friends, Don & Sandy Schlothauer. During this time, she worked at the La Chateau and although the work was hard, she loved it.

Mom loved to dress up and New Years Eve was an occasion for doing just that. Mom also had a bear that sang ‘Happy Birthday’ which she played for everyone on their special day.

Mom acknowledged that she was able to stay in her home in Sidney because daughter Margie, Wes Smith, and Russell & Sandy Johnson gave of themselves for her. After moving her to Billings in October 2021 she was ever blessed to have the help and love from her granddaughter Ashley, her husband Dan, and daughter, Kim. They made a difficult time in her life a blessing.

Mom passed away on May 30, 2024, at Tendernest in Billings, with family at her bedside. She was truly loved.

She is survived by her daughters: Nancy (Joe) Moffet, Margie Peterson, Terri (Francis) Mcrae, and Kim Peterson. Grandchildren Karen Becker, Ryan Moffet, Adam & Chad Smith, Ashley Geffre, and Sam McRae. Great-grandchildren Ali & Regan Moffet, Reese, Cohen, Collin and Quinn Smith. She is also survived by her brother Dennis (Nancy) Thomas, Roxie Peterson and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ray, son Ron, granddaughter Amy Joe, her mother and father, sisters Eloise Brice, Margie Thorsen and brothers Joe, Gaar and Harvey Thomas.

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