Tami Petersen, 56, Minot, passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near New Salem, ND on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Tami Lynn was born March 22, 1967 in Shelby, Montana to Howard “Cricket” Lashman and Helen (Due) Lashman. She was later adopted by Lyle Petersen and shared his last name. She had a special relationship with both of her dads. She was raised in Antler, ND and attended school in Westhope and graduated from Mohall High School in 1986. Tami was blessed with a son Matt and daughter Danielle at a very young age. As a single mom, they were the focus of her life, not just her children but her best friends. From daily talks, to sharing the same EMS passion, to spontaneous motorcycle rides; they were Tami’s proudest accomplishment. On April 1, 2009, Tami became a Nana to Mercedes. Their bond was simply one of a kind. There was nothing like watching her mini me grow into the young lady she is today. In 2012, Danielle met the love of her life Mitch and Tami not only gained another son, but 2 bonus grandchildren with Carson and Hannah.
In 1986, she took an EMT class and developed a love for what would become her life-long career in emergency medical services. Tami started her EMS career with the Mohall Ambulance Service and began to teach at St. Joe’s Hospital in Minot in 1992. She was instrumental in educating EMTs not only in this region but the entire state. She is credited with training many of the EMS providers that serve our region. Tami was a wonderful educator and had an amazing sense of humor, often incorporating work stories into her classes and conferences. She devoted volunteer time on various boards and committees for EMS. She served as NW Director for the ND EMS Association for many years with roles on the Annual Conference, Awards, Education, EMS memorial and annual budget and finance committees. Tami had a servant’s heart and if her EMS impact wasn’t enough, she also worked at Trinity Health as a CNA/Ward Clerk, where lifelong friendships were made. Tami went on to become a paramedic and was proud of that title as she had worked hard her entire career to achieve that status. Tami continued to work in EMS education at Trinity Health until a new opportunity presented itself. She had recently taken a role with the City of Minot in the Dispatch Center and became an official member of Minot Rural Fire Department. She was excited for this new chapter to open and was ready to serve her community in a different capacity.
Tami was affectionately known as MAMA to many and a friend to anyone she met. Mama and “her girls” did so many special things together. Craft shows, lefse making, birthday celebrations, Christmas shopping trips and with each adventure there were always “rules” to abide by or you were walking. Her easy smile and love for others was unmatched except for her love of Diet Coke. Anyone who knew Tami or spent a night with her knows about the pranks that she would play. You knew someone was going home with a bad back from sleeping on a box spring or wet pants from an IV bag placed between the mattresses leaking where you were laying. She had friends from all walks of life. She enjoyed her sisterhood with the ladies of her greeting card club. Everyone gravitated towards her because of her laugh, hugs, and zest for life. Mama took on a new meaning as time went on. It was not uncommon for Tami to add a plate to the table for a friend, colleague or anyone that needed someplace to go on a holiday or for any reason. She had a special bond with many people for the kindness she would show to anyone that needed it.
Humor was a huge part of her life. She was able to battle cancer with a smile on her face even on the bad days. Her resilience was amazing. When Danielle was diagnosed with cancer, her focus became advocating for cancer victims and survivors with benefit and memorial rides. You couldn’t miss her hot pink motorcycle, which won her several prestigious awards that she was extremely proud of. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was one of the highlights of her summer. The friendships gained through the Gallows Motorcycle Club were priceless, this was another family to her.
Tami enjoyed attending various sporting activities in the region. She especially loved watching Darik Dissette and the Minot Magicians and racing at the NoDak Speedway. She had a love for NFL football, cheering on her Eagles and never missed an opportunity to watch.
She loved the wind in her hair and the peace it gave her. She is now riding the golden streets of heaven on 2 wheels.
Tami is survived by her children Danielle (Mitch Heisler) Petersen, Mohall, ND and Matt Petersen, Towner, ND; grandchildren Mercedes Espeseth, Carson and Hannah Heisler; mother Helen Satran, Bowbells, ND; siblings Greg (Becky) Lashman, Minot, ND, Renae O’Neill, Minot, Terri (Tom) Morgel, Portal, ND, Bev (Ryan) Beeter, Upham, ND and Brittany (Cory) Hoy, Granville, ND along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends for life to include Jerilyn Alexander, Minot, Tamera Harvey, Minot, Kathy Johansen, Minot, Erica Erck, Minot and Kayla Clementich, Karlsruhe, ND and her beloved dog Cooper and cat Molly.
Tami was preceded in death by her fathers, Howard ‘Cricket’ Lashman and Lyle Petersen, grandparents Bill and Anna Lashman, Warren and Doris Brown and Joseph and Laverna Due and nephew Timothy Edgley.
Celebrating the Life of Tami Petersen: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Donald M Kolbo Auditorium at the MLS Mohall School, 101 3rd Street NW, Mohall, ND 58761. To view a livestream of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment: Mohall Community Cemetery, Mohall, ND
Visitation: Monday, July 24, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2023 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, ND
Memorials are preferred in memory of Tami.
