Lorin Bruce “Butch” Peterson
courtesy photo
Lorin Peterson
RONAN — Lorin Bruce “Butch” Peterson, 67, of Polson Mont., member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, went to be with his ancestors and creator on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ronan.
Lorin was born on Jan. 25, 1947, to Lyle and Bernice “Bonnie” (Bisson) Peterson in Polson Montana, joining sister Lorraine (Lori) at the family home near Blue Bay of Flathead Lake. Lyle and Bonnie divorced when Lorin was a young child. Bonnie then married James “Jim” Sias who raised Lorin along with a sister Terry and a brother Corky Sias. Lorin attended school in Ronan and graduated from Ronan High School in 1965. Lorin enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam from 1965-1969. After his honorable discharge in 1969; he married Lori Shourds on Dec. 20. Together they had three children: Wayne, Missy and Kathy.
From 1969-1973 Lorin worked for Plum Creek Lumber Company and Char-Koosta Homes. He then started his own electrical contracting business in Ronan. In 1975 and 1976 he earned his fixed wing private pilot and helicopter license. Lorin later worked for the SKC College Carpentry Department and Kicking Horse Job Corp.
Lorin and Lori divorced, at which time Lorin moved to Bozeman to attend college. He graduated from MSU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science. After graduating Lorin moved to Tri Cities, Washington, where he worked on the Hanford Site for Westinghouse, Battelle and Bechtel PNL.
Lorin married his current wife Lori Krantz on Feb. 29, 2000. Lorin and Lori moved home to the Mission Valley in July 2000, at which time he was hired by CS&KT as the IT Department Head, where he worked until his death.
He was preceded in death by his mother Bonnie Sias and sister Lori Carter.
Lorin’s wife Lori Peterson of Polson; his children: Wayne (Jackie) of Ronan, Missy Hensley of Polson, and Kathy of Ronan; his stepchildren: Logan (Ciarra) Krantz of Helena and Marki Krantz of Polson; his grandchildren: Dakota, Courtney, Kyle, Kenzie, Hunter, Madison, Joclynn, Kianna, Kira, Tucker, and Ruger; his step-father Jim (Kelly) Sias; sister Terry; his brother Corky (Teresa) Sias; and numerous friends and relatives survive him.
Lorin was an amazing man who made an impression on everyone he met. He enjoyed finding work to do on his tractor and always staying busy, unless he was watching a movie. He loved getting in a car and seeing where the wind would take him. He will be greatly missed by everyone. See you Tuesday, Dad.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at the Community Center in Ronan. The service will begin at 10 a.m. with a reception and meal to follow.
