MOHALL - Holly Lynne Peterson, 43, Mohall, died Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at her childhood home in Minot under the care of her family and friends. 

Holly was born on a frosty morning, December 11, 1982, in Minot, to Jim and Bonnie (Nelson) Ripplinger.  From a young age, she was known for her kind and caring spirit, her love of animals, and her joyful enthusiasm for life.  She attended public school at Bel Air and Erik Ramstad before graduating from Minot High School in 2001.  During her school years, Holly was active in Girl Scouts and German Club, traveling to Germany, an experience she treasured.  She excelled in swimming, dedicating herself to seven miles every morning.  Her commitment and talent earned her All-State honors in the breaststroke. 

Holly attended college at North Dakota State University, earning a double major with a bachelor’s in child development and family science as well as in psychology.  She continued her education in the years after, later earning a master’s in special education.  Holly was a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority while attending NDSU.  Holly worked at a daycare while in school, then after at Head Start, Peace Garden Consortium, Mohall Public School, and Kalix of Minot.  Kalix gave Holly the opportunity to truly shine and help people, beginning in 2017, as a behavior coordinator. 

Holly was able to use her knowledge, compassion, and dedication to her job, her coworkers, and the many people with special needs she helped.  She was a staff trainer in many development and support practices, participated in many statewide committees; however, most important was her impact on the people she served.  Touching their lives, improving their quality of life, and adding happiness to them was always her priority.  Holly was not scared of anything that was tasked to her, and she became a leader and treasured employee in her nine years with Kalix.  

While attending college in the fall of 2002, Holly met her knight; she called him that in the dozens of poems she wrote for him over the years.  Holly joked she trapped him, but once he saw her beautiful sparkling eyes, he wasn’t going anywhere.  Holly and Brian Peterson became inseparable after that and married on November 24, 2007, at Augustana Lutheran in Minot, the same church where she was baptized and confirmed.  Holly and Brian moved back to his family farm and began building their dreams of a family and cows.  The couple moved to their present house and ranch in 2011.  Holly dove right in and was running sheep and chickens in the beginning, which developed into a lifelong love of chicken decorations.  Holly could cut hay, cut canola, and sort cows, almost as if she had done it her entire life. Nighttime calving duties often woke her husband, “Blue 15 had a calf,” and Brian would say, “We don’t have Blue 15.” Holly, “Well, a cow had a calf then!”  She was also confident in butchering chickens and turkeys, and canning chokecherry syrup; all of these things she found happiness in. 

Holly and Brian have five children: William, Grace, Anna, Justin and Mary. Holly was in her most beautiful form, caring for her babies and watching them grow.  She was the biggest cheerleader for all of their activities.  Sitting in the bleachers of all seasons gave her pride and joy.  Family vacations to the Black Hills, Medora, Yellowstone, Omaha, and other places were trips she loved.  Family was truly important; she and Brian made every effort to make family time count, spending time exploring the creek and sandpiles, looking for fossils, and watching kids run, swim, and play.  Holly was a wonderful cook and homemaker.  Christmas was her favorite holiday, with many cherished memories with her kids baking, decorating the tree, and the house.  Holly was a uniquely positive person.  She had a special way of making people feel comfortable.  Holly was fearless and strong.  She took everything life had in store and never complained, never cried, only looked for a way to smile. 

Family:  Holly is survived by her loving husband, Brian Peterson; children, William, Grace, Anna, Justin and Mary; Holly’s parents, Jim and Bonnie Ripplinger; sister, Heidi (John) Ripplinger; nephews, Crue and Cort; brother, Preston (Karley) Ripplinger; nephew, Jack; niece, Emery; father- and mother-in-law, David and Marcia Peterson; sister-in-law, Jessica (Dan) Hanson; nephews, Jaxon, Abram and Wesley; brother-in-law, Jared (Kara) Peterson; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. 

Holly was preceded in death by:  Paternal grandparents, Victor and Annmarie Ripplinger; maternal grandparents, Harry and Pearl Nelson; Godmother, Gail Nelson; and cousin, Nicole Christianson. 

Funeral:  1:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall. 

Visitation:  Friends may sign the online guestbook and view photos of Holly’s life from 10:00 a.m. until the service time on Friday, at the church.  Friends may also sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com. 

Memorials:  Memorials preferred to a scholarship that will be established in Holly’s name for students in the surrounding communities entering the field of special education. 

(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)