Paul Weston 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. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family

Funeral Chapel, Baxter.

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.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel. 218-828-5051.