Norma and Joe Peltier have been richly blessed in many ways throughout their lives, and it has always been important for them to share their gifts to bless others. The Peltiers wanted to assure the ministries they cared about were taken care of well into the future. Working with the Foundation, they established three endowments to benefit various ministries in the Dakotas United Methodist Conference.

Norma and Joe PeltierPhoto Credit: Sanford Health Foundation

Joe and Norma were both very active in all ministries at Arthur United Methodist Church in Arthur, North Dakota. They taught Sunday school, served as lay leaders, lay speakers, and served in many different leadership roles. Joe also held several different leadership positions in the North Dakota United Methodist Conference. Norma served on the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation Board of Directors for several years. As a member of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation Board, Norma understood how endowments would provide continual support to their passions. “We think the named endowment is a good way to know that the ministries of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation will be secure in the future.”

Norma credits the Revs. Cecil and Janet Miller as the inspiration for the Clergy Pensions Endowment. Cecil and Janet Miller were close, personal friends of the Peltiers. Joe and Norma wanted to make sure that the Millers, as well as other Conference clergy families, were well cared for in their retirement years.

Both Joe and Norma were teachers and have always been supporters of education. Norma was a teacher and then a “professional volunteer” for much of her life. Joe spent time as a teacher, coach, principle, superintendent, and later a member of the State Board of Higher Education in North Dakota. They have given generously to both North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota. In 1998, they established an endowment for Dakota Wesleyan University scholarships for North Dakota students.

The Peltiers appreciated that Wesley Acres Camp, located just an hour’s drive from Arthur, provided a wonderful Christian education and experience for campers. Their endowment for camp scholarships has made it possible for many kids from Arthur UMC to experience time with God at Wesley Acres Camp. Norma later broadened this designation for Arthur UMC students to include children and youth ministry experiences and events throughout the Dakotas United Methodist Conference.

While Joe passed away in 2014, Norma continues to support the Arthur United Methodist Church, Dakota Wesleyan Scholarships, the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation and Pensions with regular gifts. We are grateful to the Peltiers for their faithful service and support of the missions and ministries of the United Methodist Church.