Carla Peterson

A funeral service for Carla Peterson, 48, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Ekalaka, MT, will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 17, 2018 at Carter County High School Gymnasium in Ekalaka, MT, with Pastor Timothy Stuen officiating. Burial will follow in Beaver Lodge Cemetery.

Visitation for Carla will take place one hour prior to the service at the Carter County High School Gymnasium.

Carla was received in to the comforting arms of God on August 10, 2018 at her home in Rapid City, SD, with her loving family by her side.

Carla was born March 26, 1970 in Miles City, MT, to Milton and Janice Markuson; joining sister

Karen and brothers Steve and Tyler. She was in her element on the ranch, tagging along with her siblings and Dad and Grandpa and having all kinds of animals for pets, even a goat.

When she was to begin kindergarten, her worry was, "I just don't know what Dad and Grandpa are going to do without me when I am at school." She attended and graduated high school in Ekalaka in 1988.

Carla cared for animals like she cared for her friends. Carla took pleasure in attending brandings while roping and dragging calves to the fire. Carla enjoyed riding horses and taking buggy rides with her husband. Carla had a gift in decorating the team and wagon up in Red White and Blue and flying the American Flag for parades.

Carla attended Miles City Community College for two years, earning a degree in Medical Transcription. She accepted a job in Roswell, New Mexico and worked there for a while and then decided on going back to school, this time completing her degree as a registered nurse, which was her true calling.

After graduation she worked for a time in Ekalaka, than Carla began her career as a traveling nurse, working in the Black Hills area at Sturgis, Deadwood, and Rapid City, then on to Omaha, NE, North Platte, NE, Sundance, WY, Moorcroft, WY, and Hulett, WY. Carla also was honored to do work in quality control for the United States Veterans Hospitals. Carla also studied and received her medical coding certification in her spare time to help small hospitals improve efficiency.

Carla always tried to give 100% to friends and coworkers.

Carla married Troy Peterson in North Platte, NE on August 22, 2003. This marriage was blessed with many adventures and happy times.

Carla and Troy lived in the towns of Sturgis, SD, North Platte, NE, Moorcroft, WY, Newcastle, WY and Rapid City, SD. Carla was always involved with patient care as a nurse. Carla worked in many areas of the hospital as well as management positions. Carla especially enjoyed working with Home Health Care and Hospice Care for farm and ranch families.

Carla and her son, Tyler discovered they shared a love of fishing and spent many happy hours together. They soon found the best fishing spots in every place they lived.

Carla believed in public service. When 9-11 happened, Carla was determined to join the military service and head for New York to help. When the storm, Katrina hit New Orleans, she was determined to go and help. Family expressed vocal concerns for her safety that seemed to redirect her immediate need to throw a bag in the vehicle and go and help. While in Wyoming, Carla called Troy and said (I am headed to town), why is that, she said there is a prairie fire and I need supplies to make sandwiches because the fire fighters are going to be hungry. Carla didn't need to be asked to respond and help. Carla took the initiative and received training to be able to teach disaster training for small towns and communities. Carla never missed an opportunity to thank a veteran or active service soldier for the service. Carla was also proud of her nephews Aerol and Nathan Peterson who answered the call to serve in the Marines during a time of war.

Carla always loved children and she loved all of her friends' children as her own.

She never gave up hope and was always so grateful for the prayer and support of everyone. Her Faith was very important to her. Carla wrote in her Bible (1-11-2001 Sturgis SD, I accepted God into my life with Troy Peterson as my witness. 1-23-01 Driving to Spearfish and became overwhelmed by the presence of God. Can't explain the feeling!!)

She fought a valiant battle with cancer for twelve years and was an inspiration to many with her positive attitude in the face of adversity.

Carla is survived by her loving husband, Troy; son, Tyler; parents, Milton and Janice Markuson; sister, Karen (Les) Kreitel; sisters- in-law, Robin Markuson, Brenda Robison and Phyllis (Kelly) DuCharme; brother-in-law, Tracy (Reneé) Peterson; mother-in-law, Marj Peterson; nephews, Aerol, Nathan and Jacob Peterson, and Kyle DuCharme; nieces, Dana (Jake) Eshelman, Tara (Clay) Smith, Jennifer (Logan) Bird, Katie DuCharme, and Ami (Matt) Nies; grandnieces, Maggie Eshelman and Allie Bird; grandnephews, Ty Smith and Keaton DuCharme; uncles, Ron (Maralee) Markuson, and Stan (Nancy) Markuson; and aunt, Ruth (Elmer) Nettleton.

Carla was preceded in death by brothers, Steve and Tyler Markuson; grandniece, Braelie Mae Nies; father-in-law, Richard Peterson; grandparents, Magnus and Olive Markuson and Gus and Lima Malmquist.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT