Peter Nielsen

Peter W. Nielsen, 85, of Grand Forks, ND died August 1, 2009 at Valley Eldercare. Peter was born January 14, 1924, in rural Maddock, ND to Peter Holdt and Emma Nielsen. He grew up there and graduated from Hesper High School. Peter served as a corporal in the Marine Corps during World War II, from 1943 to 1946, serving at San Diego, Siapan, Okinawa, and Nagasaki. On June 16, 1950, Peter married Arliene Odland in Fargo, ND. He attended NDSU, graduating with a BS in Economics in 1950. After graduation, Peter worked at the First National Bank in Fargo until 1964. In 1964, Peter joined the First National Bank and Trust Company in Grand Forks, where he headed the Trust Department. He retired in 1989 as Executive Vice President and Director. During his career, Peter served as the Chairman of the Grand Forks Parking Authority, and served on the Boards of Directors of many organizations, including the United Health Foundation, the Valley Memorial Home Board, the Fellows of the University of North Dakota, the North Dakota Community Foundation and the Calvary Lutheran Church Foundation. Peter was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church since 1965, where he served on the Finance Committee. He was a member of the Grand Forks Country Club, the Elks Club, SCORE and the American Legion. Peter was predeceased by his loving wife, Arliene, on September 22, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Dora, Lilly, and Edna Mae, and his brother, Walter. He is survived by his son Randy, of Boston, MA, Randy's wife, Clare, and their children, Erik and Annika, his son Rodney, of New Ulm, MN, Rodney's wife, Jean, and their children, Lori Mathiowitz (Brett) and Rachel, his daughter Deanna Avila-Lewellyn, of Sedalia, CO, her husband, Larry, and Deanna's children, Derek and Dylan Avila, his daughter Dawn Zammitti, of Marlborough, CT, her husband, Michael, and their children, Casey and Jake, and his great-granddaughter, Lillian Arliene Mathiowitz. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty, Rose Marie, Peggy, and Beverly, his brothers, Bud and Larry, and many nieces and nephews in the extended Nielsen family. He is also survived by his close neighbor Beverly Vavrovsky.