Marjorie “Marge” Mary Peffer, 82, a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend, as well as a dedicated educator and woman of deep faith, passed away peacefully in New Brighton, MN, on April 16, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck, ND. A luncheon in the Parish Hall will follow. 

A graveside service and interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

Born on April 12, 1944, in Zap, ND, Marge graduated from Zap High School in 1962 and earned her teacher’s certificate from Dickinson State College in 1964.

In 1964, Marge met John Peffer, and they were married in 1965. Together, they built a life in the Mandan–Bismarck area, where they both worked as teachers and raised their two children, Lori and Terry.

Marge was a lifelong educator and devoted her life to teaching elementary education. She began teaching at Central Elementary School in Mandan, ND, in 1964 and, shortly thereafter, joined the faculty of St. Joseph Catholic School, where she spent the remainder of her 35-year teaching career.

Over the years, she taught generations of students, often having all the siblings in a family in her class and later, the children of her former students.

Marge’s excellence in the classroom was recognized when she was honored as a Bismarck-Mandan recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in education. However, Marge felt her greatest professional achievement was the lasting influence she had on her students and colleagues, many of whom remembered her as their favorite teacher and a guiding presence in their lives.

Throughout her career, Marge continued her own education, earning advanced degrees from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. Even in retirement, she remained devoted to teaching, serving as a substitute teacher for Bismarck Catholic Schools.

Marge was also committed to her community and church. She worked for many years with the Burleigh County Election Committee as an absentee ballot checker alongside her lifelong friend and college roommate, Jan Bond. She was an active member of the Mandan chapter of the Catholic Daughters.

Known for her kindness, warmth, and genuine care for others, Marge had many friends, both new and old. She greatly enjoyed gathering with friends for bunco, monthly game days, and pinochle, as well as sharing meals, coffee, and hosting themed gatherings. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino and weekly movie outings with her dear friend Lyvon Hellman.

After her husband, John, unexpectedly passed away in 2003, Marge formed a special friendship with Kent Preble of Mandan, ND, who was a constant companion and source of support for many years.

Marge treasured her friendships very deeply and found their support to be a great source of comfort during her battle with cancer. In the final months of her life, Marge often said that one of the most important things to her was opening her door and welcoming all her friends to stop by.

Marge’s greatest joy was her family. She was a loving and deeply committed mother who delighted in sharing stories about her family with anyone who would listen. She also enjoyed preparing special meals, making her beloved Party Mix, cherishing time with her grandchildren, and snuggling with her grand pups, Jazzy, Toby, and Marshall.

A devout Catholic, Marge’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She attended daily Mass faithfully, whether in person or via livestream, finding strength and peace in her spiritual journey. Her deep faith provided comfort and strength as she faced her illness and gave her peace in the promise of eternal life.

Marge is survived by her children, Lori Peffer of New Brighton, MN, and Terry (Nathalie) Peffer of New Brighton, MN; her grandchildren, Ereka Peffer and Jason Peffer; her sister-in-law, Betty Unruh; and her brother-in-law, Erv Flaten. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Peffer; her parents, John J. and Mary (Wetzel) Unruh; her brother, Gary Unruh; and her sisters, Winona Zimmerman, Lois Flaten, and Beverly Flaten.

Marge’s final milestone was celebrating her 82nd birthday. She celebrated in Bismarck, ND, on April 8, surrounded by many dear friends. On April 12, she celebrated with her family in New Brighton, MN.

Marjorie leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, friendship, laughter, and a lifelong dedication to education that will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, we would encourage you to make donations may be made to Welcome House Inc. (http://www.welcomehousend.org/), Ministry on the Margins (http://ministryonthemargins.org), or Bismarck Cancer Center (https://www.bismarckcancercenter.com/donate/).