Jon Jakob Peterson

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Jon Jakob Peterson, 35, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN after fighting a difficult battle with illness.

He was born in Omaha, NE on November 9, 1988, to parents Amy and Rangvald “Randy” Peterson II. At a young age his family moved to Fargo, ND, which would become his permanent home. Jon graduated from Fargo North High School in 2007. He then went on to attend North Dakota State College of Science and received his associate’s degree in Paramedic Technology. Jon was happily married to Samantha Peterson, who was his partner in life for 18 years. Jon and Samantha share two amazing daughters together: Sophia (14) and Abigail (11). Jon’s immense love, dedication, and support for his wife and daughters was the driving force behind his entire life. He was an absolutely remarkable husband and father! He was our rock and leaves behind a family that will forever feel a tremendous void within their hearts without him.

Jon was a paramedic and educator at Sanford Ambulance in Fargo, ND. He began his career in EMS in 2011. In 2021, after nearly 10 years of helping patients as a paramedic, Jon began a new journey in EMS as an instructor for the Sanford Health EMS Education (SHEMSE) department. During his career Jon was a union steward, a back-up dispatcher, a member of the North Dakota EMS Association board, and did extensive liaison work with rural EMS services. Jon received multiple awards, including Preceptor of the Year (2015), Star of the Year (2016), Medal of Meritorious Service (2016), and the American Ambulance Star of Life (2024). Through his work helping patients and teaching he was able to leave a lasting impression on countless lives. He was fortunate enough to form some strong bonds and made many wonderful friendships during the entirety of his career…his coworkers were truly his second family! He had an enormous love and passion for his career and always strived to work harder, be better, and help others succeed! Jon truly was one of the fortunate few who find their true calling and the definition of “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life”.

In his free time, Jon most enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending his free-time watching the Packers play, and he was an extremely loyal Green Bay Packers fan (Go-Pack-Go)! Another hobby that was incredibly important to Jon was music! He would constantly be listening to, singing along with, and attending concerts for the wide variety of music he loved. Jon also enjoyed playing video games, traveling, playing board games and puzzles, cuddling with his family cats (Max and Rosie), and watching movies/tv shows.

Jon is survived by his loving wife Samantha Peterson; daughters Sophia Peterson and Abigail Peterson; father Rangvald “Randy” Peterson II; sister Dina Anderson (Ryan); and many more important family and friends.

Jon is preceded in death by his mother Amy Peterson; brother Rangvald “RE” Peterson III; as well as by grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other close relatives.

Jon’s family would like to extend their immense gratitude to all the medical professionals at Sanford Health Center (Fargo), the University of Minnesota Medical Center (Minneapolis), the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), as well as all first responders who have assisted in caring for Jon during his long health battle. Their wonderful compassion, incredible dedication, and tireless hard work throughout the duration of Jon’s medical struggles will never be forgotten!

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