Beatrice Peters

Beatrice “Bea” (Bolkan) Peters passed away peacefully on February 18, 2012, with her daughter by her side, following a struggle with pneumonia, in Arden Hills, MN. Bea was born in Fargo to Carl and Estelle Bolkan on September 26, 1922. She was a graduate of Fargo Central High and attended NDSU where she studied Home Economics and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In 1943 she married Bill Barner and they welcomed their son, Michael, in 1944. After several years living around the country, they divorced and Bea and Michael returned to Fargo. Bea completed a degree in bookkeeping from Interstate Business College and went to work for the Victor H. Leeby Company. In 1955, Bea married Richard Peters, a wonderful husband and dedicated father. Together they had two more children, Mark and Kathy Peters. Bea was a thoughtful, funny and gracious woman who made friends wherever she went. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and tireless volunteer who will be deeply missed. Bea greatly enjoyed helping as a volunteer for many organizations including the Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, El Zagal Shrine, and St. Luke’s/Meritcare(now Sanford) where she volunteered for more than 40 years and was recognized as the 1992 Volunteer of the Year. Bea was also active in a number of organizations including the Komus Club, Fine Arts Club and PEO. In 2009 she moved to Presbyterian Homes -Johanna Shores in Arden Hills, MN. Although she greatly missed her friends and family in Fargo, she forged many new friendships with residents and the caring and dedicated staff in the Arbor. Her family is forever grateful to these people for their loving care. Bea was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dick Peters, and sons Mark Peters and Michael Barner. She leaves behind daughter Kathy (Mark) Peters-Martell of St. Paul, MN, daughter-in-law Julie Barner of Fargo, beloved grandchildren Jessica (Andy) Alsop of Fargo, ND, Erik Barner of New York City, NY, and Christopher Martell of St. Paul, MN sister-in- law Suzanne (Lowell) Zimmer of Madison, WI, numerous nieces and nephews, and many treasured friends. Memorials are preferred to the Shriners Hospital or the Michael Barner Memorial Fund at NDSU. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 11:00am at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.