Jean Dahl Peszko

Houston, Texas

Jean Peszko passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at the age of 81 on the morning of Wednesday, January 3, 2025 after a courageous 8 year battle with Multiple Myeloma and Parkinson’s disease. Jean is survived by her loving husband, Anthony, of 55 years and two children: Rebekah Jean Heist and husband Brent Heist of Montgomery, Ohio, and Sarah Delaine Schilling and husband Dustin Schilling of Granbury, Texas. Jean is the loving grandmother of six grandchildren: Byron, Ethan, and Eric Heist; Joeli, Abigail, and Scott Schilling.

Jean was born December 7, 1943 in Minot, North Dakota to Harold and Mabel (Bovkoon) Dahl. She attended Minot public schools and graduated from Minot High School in 1961. Jean graduated Minot State University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She taught 1 year at the Franklin McKinley School District in San Jose, California; 3 years at the Cupertino School District in Cupertino, California; 1 year at the Littleton School District in Littleton, Colorado; and 8 years as a substitute teacher at the Clear Creek School District of Houston/Galveston, Texas.

Jean’s hobbies included Genealogy, especially of the Brixey Family in Tennessee. She loved to travel to historical sites and national parks in the United States and visited most State Capitols. She enjoyed reading American History and historical novels.

Jean was a member of Toastmasters International. She participated in many speech contests and served as President and held other officer positions at the Spaceland Toastmasters Club for 20 years. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for 20 years and enjoyed serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leading and participating in adult Bible Studies, visiting and volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes. She was a devoted Grandmother who loved doing things with her grandchildren such as going to the beach, shopping, playing games, and watching grandsons’ baseball games.

Jean was an exercise enthusiast at fitness centers, concentrating on aerobics and strength training. She enjoyed walking, bike riding neighborhood streets, and hiking national park trails.

Jean had a gift for listening to and counseling family and friends who needed advice, support, and encouragement. She was a people person who stayed in touch with family and friends through Christmas letters, hand made greeting cards, and phone calls. Jean was known as the “Card Lady” who enjoyed making her own personal birthday and Christmas cards for her grandchildren and others. She was a long-time member and Sponsor of Overeaters Anonymous who carried the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who suffer from compulsive overeating.

A memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, Texas 77058 on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Acton Cemetery, Granbury Texas. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Anne Carlsen Center for Children, PO Box 8000, Jamestown, North Dakota 58402.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 11, 2025.