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By Jenny Kirk Angi Peterson drew strength from her strong faith in God as she delivered a heartfelt message to the large crowd gathered recently for a dedication ceremony in honor of her late husband, Brian Peterson, who died at the age of 49 as a result of a motorcycle crash in August 2022.
In memory of Brian, the disc golf course in Slayton was renamed. “When Brian passed away and we began receiving memorial funds from people, the kids and I all knew that we had to do something related to disc golf as one option,” Angi Peterson said. “He went out almost every day. I just couldn’t come up with a good idea, though. It wasn’t until the end of December that I asked (our son) Jack. He had apparently been thinking about it because he immediately suggested renaming the course, and he had already decided it should be the Brian J Peterson Memorial Disc Golf Course.”
Angi said she was really excited about the idea, especially after talking to Slayton City Administrator Josh Malchow and found that the city would love to help. “Brian was a fun-loving guy and not the formal type, so to be able to do something like this is such a gift to us because it suits his personality perfectly. I walk over to see the sign about every day — sometimes I smile and sometimes I cry — but I’m just so grateful for all of it.”
Although every day can be a of my life, I walked out of that hospital room and what was left of my old life and into this new life without Brian,” she said. “I was no more than three steps out of that actual room and I turned on my heels. I held my son’s face in my hands and I said, ‘God is still good. God did not do this to Dad. This happened to dad, but God does not enjoy seeing us suffer. I will never be angry at God for this. I know He is still good, and you need to know that I believe it.’” Angi confessed that even in the worst moments of her life, she knew that truth with every fiber of her being because God had so graciously prepared her and had convicted her heart of that truth months earlier. It was about a year prior to the accident that Angi found herself searching for answers about the state of the world and wondering who God really is and if he really cares. “Little did I know that as I devoured scripture day and night and begged for Him to make Himself known to me, that He was already working on my heart,” she said. “You see, sometime during the latter part of that year, I came across a verse that became life-changing for me.”
The verse is John 16:33 — “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Continued from Page 1.
Angi explained that Jesus, knowing His time had come, had just finished telling His disciplines the difficulties they would endure in this world, but He also promised He would not leave them comfortless and that all of this was for their benefit. “I remember reading and rereading that verse many times,” Angi said. “Something about it just struck a chord with me. Jesus, in His mercy, wants to prepare our hearts for the difficulties we will endure in this world, but He also wants us to have the peace in Him that He offers and to rest in the knowledge that God’s plan is perfect.”
There was a moment in time when Angi was sitting on her couch, Bible in hand, and sobbing because she truly felt that God was asking her to make a choice in that very moment. “He was asking me, if something tragic were to happen to me or my family, what would I say of God and would I still trust Him and know that we would be OK?” she said. “Would I still think He was good, or would I selfishly declare it only when things were going well for me?” Angi admits that she didn’t want to respond to that question because she did not want to find out the answer. Eventually, however, she said she gave in and committed to believing that God was good in all circumstances and that they would be OK. “I felt a stirring in my soul, as if I already knew I was going to need to cling to that belief,” she said. “And I stand here today, nearly 11 months later, never doubting His goodness, even as I walk through the hardest season of my life. Make no mistake, though, there are days when I feel so broken and I wonder how I am supposed to do this another day, let alone the rest of my life. But God can do amazing things with the broke pieces of a shattered life, if we only open out hearts and trust Him.”
Prior to the dedication ceremony, Angi said she prayed for sure hands, a bold spirit and a steady voice, all of which God delivered and then some. “I am not an event planner, but this went together easier than anything I’ve ever put together,” she said. “And I usually avoid public speaking at all costs! But I was actually excited and not nervous to do this dedication. God really is good, and I’m so honored that He put it on my heart to share a portion of my story, and I pray that it gives hope and encouragement to somebody who needs it. We could all use a little of both these days.”
In reflecting on the turnout for the dedication, Angi said she was so pleased with the attendance and the weather. “It’s just so humbling and wonderful to see that others miss Brian and want to take part in celebrating his life, too,” Angi said. “It makes the journey feel a little less lonely. And what a gorgeous evening we had. It was just an awesome evening all around!”
Angi Peterson thanked numerous people for their support, including the Murray County Cattlemen’s Association for grilling the burgers and for donating many of the patties, Murray County Medical Center for the juice, Chandra Carlson at 507 Designs for creating the sign and T-shirts, Malchow who was on board 100% the minute she walked in the door, Public Works Director Weston Mahon and his crew who did the work at the course, Mayor Miron Carney for reading the official proclamation and everyone else who contributed in some way.
The friends and family of Brian Peterson were added to the list of sponsors on the new sign because memorial funds were used to pay for it. Angi said she thought it was also fitting that all of the previous sponsors who helped to develop the course back in 2012 were included on the new sign since Brian wouldn’t have been able to play on the course otherwise. “A couple days after the ceremony, I emailed Josh and told him how blessed we are to live in such a small, supportive community,” Angi said. “It would not be this way in a big city! Anything I needed, the city was willing to do it. It was incredible and I was so thankful and humbled at every turn.”
It was obvious to Angi that her husband touched a lot of lives. She said they would all miss his deep and unique chuckle, along with the hearty “heck yeah” he’d often say. Brian was also passionate about his motorcycles and loved talking to random strangers. And for some reason, he had a knack for pinpointing Canadians. “It was so weird and random but it was so Brian,” Angi said.
After sharing more quirky bits about Brian, Angi encouraged others to keep sharing his stories with each other and with family members. “Saying his name and telling his stories is what keeps his memory alive on this side of heaven,” she said. “And I love getting random texts or messages with a memory or thought about Brian, so never be shy about sending them my way.”
Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Jack threw the first disc at the newly renamed Brian J Peterson Memorial Disc Golf Course, which is located near the softball fields and swimming pool in Slayton. “Brian came out almost every day once the baskets were up for the season,” Angi said. “He loved it. So it’s the perfect way to honor Brian’s fun-loving personality, and we are thrilled that you chose to be here to commemorate the event.”
