Gloria Jean Petersen

Obituary For Gloria Jean Petersen

Gloria Jean Petersen took the hand of an Angel and crossed the river on March 2, 2025. She will be missed by many but welcomed by many more. In her final moments, she was at her beloved home on the ranch in Winston, surrounded by loved ones.

Gloria’s passions and determination in life were countless. She was born near DeLacs, ND, as the oldest of nine children. At the age of 13, she left home to attend high school in Minot, ND, where she began her lifelong career in nursing. Starting as a Candy Striper at St. Joseph’s Hospital, she worked hard to complete her education while progressing through her nursing training. In 1953, Gloria completed her nursing degree at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco, CA.

Her best friend and co-worker introduced Gloria to her cousin, Donovan Petersen, while they were in nursing school, and they were married on June 10, 1955. Together, they worked demanding jobs—Gloria as an RN and Donovan as a US Customs Inspector at the Northgate Port of Entry on the US/Canadian border. They raised their family and established a farm and ranch on the Canadian side of the border. Most of their land was native prairie that had never been touched by a plow. And there were always plenty of rocks to pick!

During this time, Gloria continued nursing, raised six children, pulled calves, A.I.’d cows, and operated all the farm equipment. She retired from full-time nursing in the 1990s to allow more time for ranch life. Gloria loved her big garden, beekeeping, and, most of all, her chickens.

In 1992, her son Paul and his family moved to New Mexico, marking the start of a new chapter in Gloria’s life. She and Donovan decided to sell the remainder of their cattle in Canada to allow for more time in New Mexico. Eventually, they sold the ranch in Canada and built a new home on a ranch south of Winston in 2002. Although she missed her old home on the prairie (though not the cold), she cherished life in Winston, NM, surrounded by family and friends of all ages.

Gloria was active in Cowbelles for many years and was a member of the Sierra County Emergency Management team, participating in many FEMA Disaster Relief assignments. One of the highlights of her life was being awarded the Diamond in the Rough award in 2015 by NM Women in Agriculture.

Members and staff of Sierra Home Health and Hospice were some of her most cherished friends in her final years. Gloria will be forever loved and greatly missed until we meet again!

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Donovan R. Petersen; two brothers; one sister; and her grandson, Adam D. Petersen.

She is survived by her children: Juliana and Dennis Balyeat, Christine McDonald, Paul and Anita Petersen, Jon and Donna Petersen, Conrad and Melissa Petersen, and Jennifer and Chris Brower; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three brothers and two sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Gloria’s honor on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Winston Community Church, followed by a graveside service at the Petersen Ranch. The family invites everyone back to the Winston Community Center after the graveside service for fellowship and a potluck.