Jeffrey Milo Peterson

Jeffrey Milo Peterson, 64, died the morning of July 2, 2026 in his St. Paul, Minnesota apartment. Jeff was born on March 10, 1962 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Milo and Lorraine (Pieper) Peterson. He was baptized at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin.
In July 1963, Jeff moved with his family to Elgin, Minnesota; here he was raised and attended school until his graduation from Elgin-Millville High School on May 25, 1980. Jeff’s sense of humor was present through-out his high school years witnessed in the many roles he played on the high school theater stage, taking photographs for the school yearbook, and playing trombone in the band. Jeff’s life-long love of Mathematics was nurtured in the classrooms of Mr. Gary Melbostad and Mr. Jim Hanson. Jeff moved to St. Paul to study Math and Japanese at Macalester College graduating May 19, 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. Following graduation, Jeff moved to Japan living in Sendai for five years; here he pursued his interest in Japanese language and writing, was a research student at Miyagi University of Education, and taught English language to sophomores in the Japanese Public School System. Jeff moved to Northeast Washington in May 1990 living in Colville and later in a Yurt outside of Chewelah; Jeff discovered this area on his visits back to Elgin from Japan. His return home most often included a bicycle ride from Seattle to Elgin. Jeff worked as a Baker at North Country Co-op and later as a Biological Technician for the US Forest Service. Jeff ultimately loved teaching and tutoring, often stating, “anyone can learn Math.” Jeff attended Gonzaga University in Spokane and Evergreen State College in Olympia with the thought of eventually becoming a math teacher. However, Jeff’s journey was side-tracked following a life-changing bicycle accident on April 2, 1997. Jeff lived the last twenty-nine years of his life in a wheelchair and ventilator-dependent; Jeff’s resilience and knowledge of his injury and his cares are a testament to the fact that he woke up and travelled through another day for so many years.
Jeff was loved by many. He is survived by his sisters, Gretchen Peterson (Patrick Nutter) of Harrisburg, South Dakota and Andrea (Michael) Thein of Spicer, Minnesota; by his nephews and nieces, Anthony (Jessica) Thein, Addison Thein, (Josh Ladehoff), Spencer Thein, and Emma Nutter; and by his great-nephews, Sutton and Callum Thein. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Milo and Lorraine Peterson. Jeff’s family would like to thank the staff of Provident Home Health Care in St. Anthony for the care and friendship provided to Jeff for the past nine years; you are much appreciated.
Please, join us for a Celebration of Jeff’s Life on August 2nd from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at O’Neill’s Pizza Pub in Elgin (50 Main Street East). Memorials preferred to Elgin Cheese Days Foundation (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BHG8BS39C82HE); for many years, Jeff enjoyed attending our hometown celebration.