Norma (Skunes) Peltier

Norma Peltier passed away on March 10th at Bethany on University. Norma Katherine Peltier was born on October 28th, 1929 to Norval and Knelma Skunes. She graduated from Grandin High School in 1947.

Norma grew up on a farm in Grandin, North Dakota, spending much of her life in agriculture. She taught herself to drive and milked cows before and after school. She also was heavily involved in athletics and was a member of a high school state tournament basketball team. Norma earned a teaching degree and was employed at elementary schools in Clearbrook, Minnesota, and Kindred, North Dakota until she married Joe Peltier on May 31, 1952, at Nora Lutheran Church, Gardner, ND.

The Peltier family settled in Arthur, North Dakota, where they raised their children. Norma was very active in the United Methodist Church as a Sunday School teacher, worship choir director, and keeper of the church banners. She was actively involved in the church's auxiliary and the community's home maker group. Norma served on the Governor’s task force for aging. She volunteered as a long-term care ombudsman for the state. Norma was a board member and philanthropist for the Dakota United Methodist Foundation. She was active in P.E.O. Sisterhood and Drama section of the Fine Arts Club of Fargo. Norma very much enjoyed playing mahjong with her friends.

Dedicated to community service and philanthropy, Norma has logged more than 3,000 hours and 45 years as a volunteer at Sanford Health. She has more than 34 years of continuous giving to Sanford Health, including donating funds for veteran’s prayer shawls and sponsoring free popcorn for patients, visitors and employees on Veterans Day. The Peltier family has initiated several endowments at Sanford Health for Parkinson’s, cancer research, including the Peltier Lodge.

Norma’s and Joe’s longstanding dedication to NDSU academics and athletics has included the Peltier Endowment for Innovation in Teaching, Don Larew Scholarship, Jessamine Slaughter Burgum Scholarship, Joe Peltier Award for Risk Management and the Peltier Complex, a state-of-the-art agriculture facility, and NDSU VP of Agriculture Endowment. She especially liked the Bison Arts singers. Norma received an Honorary Doctor of Agriculture from NDSU in December of 2023.

Norma is survived by son, Keith (Cathy) Peltier, West Fargo, ND son, Jeff (Anne) Peltier Punta Gorda, FL, daughter, Suzette (Jon Thorpe) Peltier, Eau Claire, WI and daughter, Betty Jo (Wade) Wilson, Fargo ND. Seven grandchildren, Bryce (Alicia) Peltier, Jay (Becky) Peltier, Jamie (Brent) Olson, Rennesoy Thorpe, Signe Thorpe, Abigail (Danny) Afryl, and Grace (GT) Johnson, and 8 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Micki Skunes; nephew, Kevin (Betty) Skunes; nieces, Darcy (Mike) Hostetler and Doris Skunes; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Arnold Skunes; nephew, Jon Skunes.

Memorial donations may be made out to the NDSU Development Foundation, Sanford Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be Friday, March 15th, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the West Funeral Home, West Fargo. Funeral will be Saturday, March 16th at 11 AM at the Arthur United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Arthur Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma (Skunes) Peltier, please visit our floral store.