Carl William Peter died peacefully from complications from Post-Polio Syndrome August 10, 2023, at SMP Health-St. Raphael Care Center in Valley City, ND at the age of 85. The funeral service for Carl will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Connect Church, Valley City. Visitation will begin at 9:00 that morning in the church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery near Valley City. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well.
Carl William Peter was born to Walter and Myrtle (Mortenson) Peter, Sr. near Parshall, ND on September 29, 1937. His parents moved to the Page, ND area where he attended a rural school. Carl was stricken with bulbar polio in August of 1946. He was in an iron lung for two and a half weeks after which he was totally paralyzed. He was at St. Luke’s Hospital receiving Sister Kenny Treatment and physical therapy until July. Upon returning home, he started using crutches so he could attend rural school. When the rural school closed, he attended the Anne Carlson School in Jamestown, ND for one year. He then completed his elementary and high school in Page, graduating Salutatorian of his class. By then, he could walk short distances without crutches.
He went on to continue his education at Valley City State College (now University), completing a Composite Major in Business Education and a Major in Geography with a certificate in Driver’s Education in August of 1960. Following graduation, he taught at McClusky, ND for three years. Carl returned to Page where he taught for the next seven years. During his time in Page, he began his Master’s in Education Degree in Business Education, completing it August of 1971, from the University ND in Grand Forks, ND.
The summer after leaving McClusky, he met Evelyn Jean Neuharth. They were married March 27, 1964, in McClusky. In January 1965, son, Damon, was born in Valley City, ND. Daughter, Beth, was born in 1966 in Valley City.
Carl accepted a one-year teaching position at Valley City State University the fall of 1970. Daughter, Karla joined the family that October. The following year, he became the Assistant Registrar and held that position for 13 years. He then became the Registrar and retired in 1999.
He was diagnosed as having Post-Polio Syndrome. This resulted in weakening of the muscles and reversing all the progress he’d made. Eventually, he required the use of a power chair.
Carl was very active in the Valley City Church of the Nazarene. He held positions of Sunday School teacher, church board member, church treasurer, and internet web master. He was a supporter of many VCSU initiatives, Farm Rescue, and numerous charitable organizations. He enjoyed watching his favorite teams; the MN Vikings, Green Bay Packers and MN Twins.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Evelyn. Son, Damon and daughter-in-law LeeAnna Peter of Valley City, grandchildren Alyson (Alex) Rupe, Minot, ND, and Dillon (Vee) Peter, Fargo, ND, and great grandchildren Liam and Gemma Rupe. Daughter, Beth and son-in-law Scott Fritz of Jamestown, ND, grandchildren Stacy (Arron) Benson, Lincoln, ND, Nicole (Brandon) Gange, and Molly Fritz, Jamestown, ND, and great grandchildren Kamryn and Blake Benson. Daughter, Karla and son-in-law Doug Olson of Valley City, grandchildren, Emma Olson and John Olson, both Valley City. Siblings, Marion (Don) Braunberger, Walter B. Peter, Jr., Anna (Bob) Langness, Alfred (Bernie) Peter, Jann (Glen) Dell, sisters-in-law Debby Maust and Tee Holcomb. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leonard, sister-in-law Merilyn Peter, and numerous Neuharth brothers and sisters-in-law.
Memorials may be directed to VCSU Foundation, South Central Transit Network or an organization of your choice.