Peter Masset

Peter Anthony Masset was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on September 4th, 2024, at the age of 76. 

Pete's wake will be Wednesday, September 11th at 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Parkway Funeral Service with a 7:00pm vigil with Father Steven Vetter. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, Sept. 12, at Corpus Christi Church, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck, with Father Joshua Ehli presiding. Lunch will follow the service. Burial will be held at 1:00 PM at the North Dakota Veteran Cemetery, Mandan.

Use this link to view the service livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@CorpusBismarck/streams 

Peter was born January 17, 1948, the fourth child of Peter and Ann (Schmaltz), in Linton, ND. He grew up on his family farm with his parents and six siblings who remained very close friends throughout his life. He attended college at Dickinson State University and two years later enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam as an infantryman from 1969-1970, or "a year and a day" as he called it. 

After returning from Vietnam, he returned to Dickinson State University, he graduated with a degree in mathematics and an engineering minor. Peter was a man of diverse talents and interests venturing into various professions. 

He met the love of his life, Judy (Poppke) in Bismarck, they married on June 24th, 1978. He was elated with their first-born son, Peter Jr. "Tony's" birth in 1980 and then their second son Dustin in 1982. He knew that his sons were one of his greatest accomplishments. Pete began a new career as an oil and gas landman in 1977 and founded Altair Corporation in 1979. Together with his brother Marvin, Altair Corporation became very active in the Oil & Gas industry in 1981. After years of hard work and some very difficult times, they built a successful and well respected company which still operates today. Pete was proud to see his sons and nephew Ryan join in the business they had built. 

Pete was a man who wore many hats. He was an experienced hunter, expert pool player nicknamed "Pistol Pete", and a dedicated golfer. He had a close group of golf friends he played with regularly. Pete treasured the times he spent at the ranch he owned with his two friends (Chuck and Jack) that they had named "The Lazy 3". At the ranch Pete was not only an excellent hunter he was a talented trapper who managed the beaver and rattlesnake populations. He occasionally enjoyed the fencing part of owning a ranch. He also enjoyed hiking, trapping, curling, and skiing. Peter woke up every morning and printed two copies of Sudoku to complete with Judy, followed by a round of Wordle. Pete enjoyed traveling and was always up for a new adventure with his wife and friends.

Pete introduced both of his sons to hunting at a very young age. He thoroughly enjoyed annual elk hunting trips to Colorado with his brothers and sons. Sometimes Judy even joined in the trip. He also enjoyed weekends in the Colorado Mountains gold panning with his brothers.

He was blessed with three granddaughters. He loved his Miah, Kate, and Olivia enormously and each one of them knew how special they were to him. This was evident through the endless time he spent with them. Whether it was watching Miah and Kate at skating competitions, soccer games or at their vacation home in Florida you could always find Pete delighting in their presence. They will greatly miss his gentle, ever-kind, and genuinely caring presence in their lives.

Pete is survived by his wife, Judy (Poppke); son, Tony “Peter Jr.” (Gretchen Heit); granddaughters, Miah and Kate Masset; son, Dustin (Ashley Decoteau); granddaughter, Olivia Masset. His daughter, Rita Hanson; grandchildren, Dan, Morgan, Connor; great-granddaughter, McKinley and his brothers and sisters: Frank Masset, Marie (Tom) Lipp, Marvin (Barb) Masset, Mike (Alice) Masset, Cheryle (Kirby) Martz as well as numerous nephews and nieces. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ann Masset and brother, Charles "Chuck" Masset.