Nancy Kay (Kurtz) Peterson, 52, died after a long hard fight with melanoma cancer.
Her memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Pastor John Chapman officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the service. Her burial will be held in Gildford at 4 p. m. at the Gildford Cemetery. Nancy was born May 30, 1955, to Francis and Gertrude (Sten) Kurtz. She lived on the family farm until 1973 when she married Mark Peterson. They then resided at their farm north of Havre, they had two boys, Kody and Kyle Peterson. Together her and Mark worked the farm and were instructors for First Responder courses, among countless activities. Along with the farm work Nancy also maintained a full-time job at Amtrak working as a ticket agent starting in 1991. She enjoyed her job very much. Nancy had several passions in life from her family, friends, life, faith and agriculture. Nancy received numerous awards and achievements over the last 37 years but her most beloved was delivering a neighbor’s baby girl. She played the organ and helped with office duties for the First Baptist church of Havre up until she was appointed to the State of Montana. She served on several boards for grains, farming, etc. She was always trying anything to help producers. In 2004 Nancy was appointed her dream job as Director of Agriculture for the State of Montana by Gov. Brian Schweitzer. She took her job to heart; she had agriculture in her blood and knew she could help to make a difference. She gathered information from a variety of people and sources to make decisions. She was always prepared and spent many nights going over notes and information to make educated decisions that benefited the State of Montana and its most important commodity, the producers. Not only did she have an impact on agriculture in this great State of Montana but she made history by being the first female Director of Agriculture and was very proud to serve for the communities in Montana. She had trips to Japan, Hawaii, and across the nation. The extensive travel kept her hopping but she enjoyed every moment of her new experiences. Upon her arrivals home, there were always new stories and interesting facts about agriculture and the diverse ways of life. She served as director right up to her death. Nancy was known as a woman who loved everyone unconditionally and was always willing to lend a hand, ear or shoulder whenever. She was a “Mom” to a lot of people in the community and never complained. She wanted to see everyone succeed in life and to enjoy it just as much as she did. Nancy was very easy to talk to and listened to the opinions of others. She loved her family and friends and had a hard time visiting everyone over a weekend back at Havre but did the best she could and made phone calls to the rest. Nancy enjoyed camping, dancing, playing the piano, marathon pinochle games, and especially being with her family and friends. She also had an incredible love for taking pictures. She was a natural for capturing moments in time perfectly. Nancy is preceeded in death by her father, Francis in 1996; father-in-law, Russell Peterson in 1976; sister-in-law, Carol in 2004; mother-in-law, Nita (Peterson) Tweeten in 2004; and father-inlaw, Raymond Tweeten in 2006. She is survived by her two boys, Kody (Gabrielle) Peterson of Havre and Kyle (Kodi) Peterson of Gildford; mother, Gertrude Kurtz; brothers, Lynn (Pam) Kurtz of Frenchtown and Lee (Karen) Kurtz of Gildford; four nieces and two nephews Casey, Andre, Ben Peterson and Robbie Kurtz, Megan and Niki Kurtz; brother-in-law, Kim (Nola) Peterson of Havre; exhusband, Mark Peterson of Havre; Lesa Evers of Helena; and three grandchildren, Payton, Paij and Laramie Peterson; and several aunts, uncles, friends and family. Memorials can be sent the Sletten Cancer Institute of Great Falls 1117 29th Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59405 , Gift of Life Housing (East) of Great Falls P.O. Box 7008 Great Falls, MT 59405 The Sletten Cancer Institute of Havre C/O NMH P.O. Box 1231 Havre, MT 59501 or to a memorial of one’s choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
