Michael Dean Peterson

HAMILTON - Michael Dean Peterson, 52, of Hamilton died March 29, 2014 from a long term struggle with Cancer. Michael Dean Peterson was born September 24, 1961 in Beatrice, Nebraska.

He moved to Lincoln, Nebraska as a child. He was the son of the late Merlin Dean and Nell Peterson. Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Rebecca Maser; and his two loving children, Schuyler Mary Nell and Joshua Stephen Michael Peterson. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Molly Peterson; his two sisters and their spouses, Vickie and Don Gramlich and Susan and John Frary; a very special step-mother, Annie; step-brothers, Bud and Brad(Tracy) Ogden; as well as nieces and nephews.

Mike loved sports. He was a fan of Husker Football, The Denver Broncos, and the Avalanche hockey team. He loved hunting, fishing, and traveling; he especially loved spending time in Canada. Mike moved to Montana in 2006 to fulfill his lifelong dream of living in the mountains. This is where he met and married his wife Molly in 2013. She restored his zest for life and gave him a reason to go on after losing his first wife and children. Mike has spent more than ten years raising money for families who have been affected by cancer. Cancer took his life and the lives of his children, his father, and his mother.

Through all the sadness of loss and struggling with this monster, he created a wonderful foundation to give back to families that have been affected by it. It has been his passion to shed some positive on the negative that often comes with cancer. Michael Peterson will be forever remembered by all the people he has inspired and given hope to as a man of compassion, love, and as someone who gave all he had to change even one moment for the better.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that Donations be made to the Josh and Schuyler Cancer Foundation: Checks payable to RCD of the Bitter Root Valley 1709 North 1rst Street Hamilton, MT 59840; Make a Wish 175 North 27th Street Suite 1214 Billings, MT 59101 or Montana.Wish.Org in memory of Michael Peterson; The Masonic- Eastern Star Home for Children 2415 North Main Street, Fremont, Nebraska 68025; Aspen Hospice Services 107 Bell Crossing Stevensville, MT 59870; As well as in Care of Molly Peterson.