Paul Peterson

Paul Weston Peterson, age 18, of Motley died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 29, 2020 due to a snowmobile accident. Funeral services will be at 11AM on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. Rev. Carl Larson will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples. Visitation will be from 4-6PM on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. Paul’s family would like to invite guests to their home following the visitation for a bonfire to celebrate Paul’s life. Guests are encouraged to bring their instruments as a tribute to Paul.

Paul was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2001 in Bethesda, Maryland to Ty and Kelly (Reis) Peterson. When he was three years old, he began making “music” on Ty’s trumpet and by age four he had his own computer and started gaming. At the age of 15, Paul started trap shooting and began riding snowmobile on the family farm--he enjoyed riding alongside his parents. He was a senior at Staples – Motley High School, also taking classes at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Paul was a great mentor to younger students; he was a student who was eager, determined, artistic, and exuded excellence. Paul was accepted to the University of Minnesota, where he planned to follow his dad, playing his trumpet in the U of MN Marching Band; “Go Gophers!” He was very patriotic and extremely proud of his father’s service to our country in the United States Air Force. Paul learned how to play Taps on the trumpet and was honored with the privilege of playing for the high school Veterans Day celebration; he had a pure and beautiful sound when he played. Paul was proud to be a Cardinal, earning varsity letters in Band, Trap and Academics. Paul was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and walked deeply in his faith at a very young age. Above all else, Paul was happy, loving, caring, thoughtful, selfless, kind, funny (“… Argh! it’s driving me nuts”), brilliant, compassionate and gentle. He was his parent’s greatest accomplishment. Paul will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Paul is survived by his parents, Ty and Kelly (Ries) Peterson of Motley; grandparents, Dale & Emilie Peterson of Bemidji, Bob & Dotsy Ries of Bemidji; aunts and uncles, Tracy Hollister of Burnsville, Jody (Shawn) Miller of Hancock, Jenny Ries of Baltimore, MD; cousins, Luke (Alicia) Hollister, Andrew Hollister, Riley Miller, Quinn Miller, Kyan Ries; as well as many extended family members, and THOUSANDS of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to build an arena in Paul's honor are preferred: https://www.gofundme.com/f/welovepaul?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet