James Pettersen

James Vernon Pettersen (Pete) was born on July 28, 1944 in Superior, Wisconsin. He was the middle child and only son of Norris and June (Doran) Pettersen. He died April 15, 2020 at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa, AZ from the Covid 19 virus.

Jim grew up in Hawley, Minnesota graduating from Hawley High School where he excelled at sports. He attended Minnesota State University graduating with B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. While in college he met and married his wife of 51 years, Sandra Storoe, on August 10, 1968 in Williston, ND.

Their first home was in Hawley, MN where Jim was involved with the American Legion Baseball Program. This was the beginning of his passion for sports spanning 50 years in baseball. He began his teaching career in Long Prairie, MN while also coaching High School and American Legion Baseball. While in Long Prairie they welcomed two daughters into their family, Sara in 1972 and Leslie in 1975. In 1978 the family moved to Moorhead, MN where Jim could attend grad school at NDSU. The first year there they welcomed another child into their family – son Jamie in 1979. In addition to attending grad school, Jim became the assistant NDSU baseball coach to George Ellis for 5 years and then the head coach for another 8 years. While coaching at NDSU he coached his son in the Moorhead Babe Ruth Program and was instrumental in forming and being involved in the Moorhead State Club Baseball Team. In 2005 he joined the Board of Directors of the Fargo Post 2 Baseball Program, expanded the program to include a third team (Jets), and served as General Manager of all three teams. His role included scheduling of games, organizing and overseeing tournaments and fundraising. There was rarely a day that Jim and his red pick-up weren’t at the ballpark – Jack Williams Stadium. The 15 years with Post 2 became a family affair with daughters Sara and Leslie (and later Sandi) running the concession stand. Many close friendships were developed during these 15 years with Post 2. Jim’s dream was realized when Post 2 made it to the World Series in Shelby, NC in August of 2019. He couldn’t have been prouder!

In 2017 Jim was the recipient of the MN Twins Terry Ryan Award for his lifetime work with youth baseball. In January of 2019 Jim was inducted into the Fargo Post 2 Baseball Hall of Fame. Receiving this recognition was a source of great pride for both Jim and his family.

Jim is survived by his wife Sandi; daughters, Sara (Ryan) Soroka of Fargo, Leslie (Scott) Beadle at Turtle Lake, MN, and son Jamie (Andreana) of Lake Forest, CA; grandchildren, Taya and Riley Opheim, Chase and Jeffrey Beadle and River Norris Pettersen; sisters, Bobbi (Gary) Schroeder and Cheryl Pettersen; mother-in-law, Harriet Storoe; brother-in-law, David (Theresa) Storoe; cousin, Marshall (Susan) Doran as well as many additional relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norris and June Pettersen; father-in-law, Gene Storoe; brother-in-law, Kelly Storoe; and nephew, Jeffrey Schroeder.

Our family wants to extend a special thank you to all you have sent prayers, texts, and calls during this difficult time. A Celebration of Life gathering will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that memorials be made to the Fargo Post 2 Baseball Organization. The link for donations is www.post2baseball.com