Bruce Peters

Bruce J. Peters, 72, of Moorhead, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the Fargo VA Hospital.

Bruce Julian Peters was born on November 16, 1944, in Fargo, North Dakota to Julian and Charlotte Peters. Bruce was raised in Moorhead where he graduated from Moorhead High School. He later finished three years of college at Moorhead State University.

Upon graduating from high school, Bruce proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-1966, earning several medals. His position was a postal clerk on the ship the USS Vega. He was overseas in many foreign countries. Bruce had several Navy buddies that became lifelong friends. Robert Carter was one of them. They enjoyed playing guitars together on the ship and on shore. Bruce also liked playing the piano and the drums. Recently, he often had up to seven flags flying at his home being proud to be a Vietnam veteran. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.

On September 16, 1963, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanne A. Kondos. When he and his friend, Art Stallman, were out riding bikes, Bruce asked Art who the girl was standing in her parents' yard. Art said it was Jeanne Kondos. Bruce immediately knew that Jeanne was the girl he was going to marry someday. Their wedding was held in Oakland, CA, where Bruce was stationed in the Navy. They made their home in Moorhead. Bruce and Jeanne were happily married for 53 years. Their song all those years was "Moon River."

Bruce's family was the most important thing to him. As a child, he spent many summers with his Aunt Doris and Uncle Pinky at the lake. He also went to visit his grandma in Seattle. Bruce also enjoyed summers at the Mack family farm. With his parents, he went on a trip to visit his aunt in California and his sister who was living in Arizona at that time. Later, Bruce took Jeanne and Christine on a wonderful trip to visit his sister, Pat, and her family in California.

Bruce did many things over the years, like being the best dad there was to his daughter, Christine. They enjoyed astronomy, fishing with Jeanne and Pookie, teaching Christine to ride her bike, riding motorcycles, playing the piano, walking together on the rocks across the Mississippi in Itasca State Park, going to "tool stores," and watching the "Wizard of Oz" every year.

He loved playing Mr. Corn with his dog, Pookie, who meant the world to him. They loved sitting in the back yard, having picnics, riding and playing together in the yard. His grand dog, Carmen, was always so excited to walk over to see "Grandpa." They would visit, have special treats, and just enjoy being together. His stepgrandson, Zach, would visit him and they loved talking about a variety of topics. They had many interests in common. They enjoyed the "podities" (oddities) that Bruce collected over the years. Bruce and son-in-law, Kevin, loved sharing Navy stories together.
Bruce held a variety of jobs in his younger days. He worked at Allis Chalmers, Cully's, and Branick's Manufacturing where he was a lathe operator, just to name a few. He had so many talents. There was nothing he couldn't do.

Bruce was honored to be a member of the Road Angels Car Club. In high school, his '53 Buick was his pride and joy. He enjoyed working on and racing cars with his friends, Darryl and Larry. Bruce raced an AMX, winning numerous trophies at several speedways. Bruce and Jeanne loved riding in their pink convertible together. Their travels made memories of a lifetime.
Bruce had a radio station that his father helped him make and set-up in their basement. That is how he met Bobby Becker, who became a lifelong friend. It was a friendship that was so special to both of them.

There were so many things that Bruce enjoyed. This included going to bingo with his mother, cars, music, woodworking, working on his yard, and creating beautiful artwork. We still have many of the things he made. Bruce was known by many friends throughout the US for his creation of "Web Pod Theatre" featuring his very special friend, Norman the Otter. Bruce was known to all for his fantastic sense of humor, quick thinking, jokes, wit and love to banter. At times he would even do his Donald Duck voice for all of us.

Bruce enjoyed all of the things he shared in his early days. Unfortunately, he developed numerous illnesses and was disabled for most of his life. Even then he was just happy to be at home with his family. Bruce and Jeanne said, "We were just two kids when we met and fell in love. It was just meant to be."

Bruce is survived by his wife, Jeanne; their daughter, Christine (Kevin) Hannestad and his special grand dog Carmen, Moorhead; step-grandson, Zachary Hannestad, Moorhead; sister, Patricia Rausch, Orange, CA; nephews and nieces, Michael Rausch, Dean Rausch, Cindy Rausch, Mary Puma, Matthew Rausch, Patrick Rausch, all of California; and many great-nephews and great-nieces and cousins.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Charlotte Peters; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Christ and Bernice Kondos; his beloved dog, Pookie; nephew, Mark Rausch; great-nephew, Jesse Zimmerman; and lifelong friend, Art Stallman.


Per Bruce's request there will be no service. After cremation, he was returned home to his wife, Jeanne. That was the only thing he wanted. When her time comes, their ashes will be mixed together and placed in the family lot in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
Our thanks to the Fargo VA Hospital and to the Honor Guard for immediately giving him his military honors. He was always proud to have served his country.