Rodney Peters

Rodney Allen Peters, known affectionately to his many circles of friends by an array of memorable nicknames—including "Hot Rod," "Pete," "the Judge," "Catfish," and many others—passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2026, in Thompson, North Dakota, at the age of 75. Born on September 17, 1950, in Hampden, North Dakota, Rodney was the son of Verna and Henry Peters. He grew up in North Dakota alongside his sisters, June and Jane, and graduated from Larimore High School. In his later years, he truly loved living in the small-town community of Thompson.

Following high school, Rodney proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. For the majority of his service, he was stationed in Germany, where he used his time off to travel and explore various European countries, sparking a lifelong love for adventure. Though his journey later took him through many different trades, Rodney was above all a carpenter by profession. He spent his life charting his own path, starting with two years at Wahpeton College. He embraced a lifetime of diverse, hands-on hard work, bringing his skills as a carpenter to power plants and building bridges across the country. Throughout his colorful career, he also farmed, baked pies and Twinkies in Minneapolis, earned his boiler's license, worked out in the oil fields as a roughneck—his absolute favorite job—and held positions with Minn-Dak Growers and Simplot. He later served as a dedicated custodian for Grand Forks schools, and even retirement couldn’t slow him down; he spent 22 proud years protecting his community as a Security Officer for the University of North Dakota.

An adventurous spirit defined Rodney’s life, and he openly admitted to "raising a lot of hell" in his lifetime. He was a true people person who collected a vibrant network of friends wherever he went, including his hunting and fishing companions, his motorcycling crew, lifelong work friends, golf buddies, and enthusiastic tailgating partners. He loved music, good company, and life out in the open air, rarely missing his annual pilgrimages to the Fargo Blues Festival, WE Fest, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He possessed an enduring love for biking; in his younger years, he famously rode his bicycle all the way from North Dakota to Michigan and back. Whether he was hitting the fairways for a round of golf, logging countless miles on his beloved Harley-Davidson, or enjoying quieter moments spent reading a good book and crafting homemade wine and beer, he was always ready to spin an amusing story about his latest escapade.

Rodney is survived by his nieces Lori Toews, Cindy Ramirez, Sandy Staloch, Diane Saba, and Sharon Wilhelmi; as well as his nephews Donnie Toews, Chuck Wilhelmi, and David Wilhelmi. He is preceded in death by his parents, Verna and Henry Peters; his sisters, June Wilhelmi and Jane Toews; and his nephew, Lynn Toews. Rodney’s adventurous nature, fun-loving personality, and independent spirit will be deeply missed by those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to share in his journey.

A casual, open-house Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 26th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Thompson American Legion, Post 181, located at 614 4th Street, Thompson, ND. In lieu of flowers, cards, or monetary gifts, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in Rod's name.