Peggy Ann (Sievert) Freije-Ray, age 68, of Bismarck, North Dakota passed away January 30, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, February 6, at Our Savior Lutheran church, 1615 N 18th St, Bismarck, ND, with a visitation being held one hour prior to the service.

A private burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Peggy was born in Mobridge, South Dakota, to Arthur and Mabel (Brown) Sievert. Peggy grew up between Bismarck, North Dakota, and Duluth, Minnesota, places that shaped her deep love for family, learning, community and faith. She was a trailblazer in her family, becoming the first woman on both sides to graduate from college—an achievement she carried with quiet pride and passed on through her encouragement of lifelong learning.

She began her career as an elementary school teacher before choosing to devote herself fully to her family as a homemaker. Later, she returned to the workforce as a paralegal, bringing the same dedication and care to her professional life that she gave to everything she did, and eventually returned to teaching at BPS before her retirement.

Peggy was the proud mother of seven children: Rebekka, Matthew, James, Elizabeth, Carol, Rachel, and Anna, and welcomed each of their spouses as her own. She was also a loving grandmother to ten grandchildren: Benton, Sophia, Pierce, Bode, Jade, Beckett, Decker, Easton, Riley, and Westley, with an eleventh grandchild—a baby girl—on the way. Being a mother and grandmother was her greatest joy. Her family and friends meant the world to her, and she poured her heart into nurturing, supporting, and encouraging those she loved.

She was a devoted caregiver to her parents and her aunt until their passing, a role she embraced with compassion, patience, and selflessness. Peggy found joy in reading and playing the piano, and she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love for reading, participation in sports, and appreciation for music.

Peggy will be remembered for her kindness, her devotion to family, her love of learning, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MSA United Way Backpack Program.

Click on the link provided to donate to a MSA United Way charity ~ MSA United Way