Jessica Lynae Peterson, age 30 of Belle Plaine, died unexpectedly in a fatal motorcycle accident. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Tiowaka SMSC Spiritual Center (14625 Prairiegrass Dr. NW) in Prior Lake, MN.
On December 5, 1990, Brenda and Pete Peterson were blessed with the birth of their daughter Jessica. She was born in Minneapolis but spent most of her early life in the areas around Henderson and Jordan. She attended Jordan schools before transferring and graduating from Maranatha Christian Academy. Following high school, Jessica furthered her education by earning a certificate in holistic health and a degree for dental hygiene assistance.
Throughout her life, Jessica always worked a job where she could positively impact others. She started her first job at 14 as a nanny for the Klein family taking care of their three daughters, Kalista, Kaidyn, and Kassidy. She recently worked as a personal caregiver to her special friend Mikey as well as a nanny to his daughter. Where she formed a special bond with princess Aurora. Even in her career as a bartender, Jessica formed meaningful relationships with her coworkers and customers. She greeted everyone with an infectious smile, her big personality, and a laugh that you could never forget. All of our lives are better just from knowing her.
Jessica lived life to the fullest and without judgement. When she wasn’t working, traveling, or visiting friends. Jessica was riding her motorcycle, a hobby she shared with her father figure Papa. He inspired her love of motorcycles and all things vintage. If she wasn’t getting wind therapy, she was being the best aunt to her three nieces and nephew. She was their biggest supporter and loved them profoundly. Jessica always joked that she didn’t need to have her own children because she was so blessed to be an aunt!
One of Jessica’s biggest passions was traveling, especially in the winter months. She would escape the cold and go to California, Florida, anywhere warm. Traveling fueled her gypsy soul and was a great excuse to visit her numerous friends scattered all over the country. She touched the lives and hearts of many. Jessica also backpacked across Europe with Mickey. It was a wonderful experience…except for France which she would never hesitate to tell you why (the smell).
Faith was the foundation of Jessica’s life. When she woke up each morning, the first thing she did was pray, journal, and work on her relationship with God. She also attended small groups and bible studies at Hosanna Church with her boyfriend Jameson. Where she further strengthened her faith and relationship with God. Jessica had a servants’ heart. She went out of her way to volunteer and lend a helping hand any chance she could. Whether it was helping someone organize things, mentoring at Adult & Teen Challenge, or just popping over with something you didn’t know you needed until that moment. Jessica lived to show her compassion and love for others through acts of kindness.
Adventurous and caring, Jessica will be missed by her mother, Brenda (Troy Becker) Peterson; father, Pete Peterson; father figure, Kyle “Papa” Schmitt; sister, Jamie (Shannon) Jackson and her children Wells Jackson, Gabi Campbell, Adalynn Campbell, and Emersyn Jackson; half-sister, Carine Steffens; grandparents, MaryDell Kohlstat and Jack F. Douglass; aunts and uncles, Jay Douglass (Claire Shannon), Debra “Auntie Mama” (Kelly) Kilgore, Jeff Douglass, and Patricia Christianson; and her boyfriend Jameson John.
Jessica is preceded in death by her grandparents, Delores and Lloyd Peterson, and Loraine Douglass; her beloved dog, Nova.
