George Peper, 83, of Willmar, MN died Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.
His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 7, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar.  Those attending are invited to wear green as it was George’s favorite color.  Interment will be at Clover Leaf Cemetery in Willmar.  Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 6, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
George Thomas Peper was born November 9, 1939, in Flandreau, South Dakota, the son of Herman and Frances (Chamberlin) Peper.  He grew up in rural Flandreau and attended Tidd Country School and Flandreau High School, graduating in 1957.  On December 27, 1959, George married Joanne Albert in Lake Preston, SD, and two children were born to their marriage: David (1962) and Kristine (1975).
George graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, with his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961.  He began his career as a science teacher in Little Rock, IA, where he taught from 1961-1963.  He later taught in Raymond, MN, from 1963-1965.  George attended the National Science Foundation Academic Year Institute at the University of North Dakota during the 1966-1967 school year and earned his Master of Science Degree from UND.  In 1967, he began teaching science at Willmar Senior High School and continued in this position until his retirement in 2005 after a 44-year career.  During this time, George earned his Master School Administration Degree from South Dakota State University in 1969, and attended the National Leadership Institute for the Teachers of Biology at Rutgers University and the DNA Boot Camp at the Pfizer Institute in Molecular Human Genetics in New York.   He also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Minnesota-Morris from 2001-2003.
 George was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher for many years.  He was also active with the Minnesota Education Association and National Education Association, attending several state and national conventions.
 George is survived by his wife of 63 years: Joanne Peper; his two children: David (Karla) Peper of Alexandria, MN, and Kristine Peper of Willmar, MN; three grandchildren: Emily (Michael) Kluver, Amanda (Dan) Watkins, Sarah (Michael) Heise, and Kathrine Krane; and seven great-grandchildren: Jackson Kluver, Hudson Kluver, Aubree Watkins, Trevor Watkins, Charlotte Heise, Oliver Heise, and Greta Watkins.  Also surviving are two brothers: Thomas (Rosie) Peper of Sioux Falls, SD, and David (Mary) Peper of Sioux City, IA; a brother-in-law: Neil Albert; two sisters-in-law: Betty Peper and Joyce Johnson; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Herman and Frances Peper; and a brother: Roger Peper and two sisters-in-law: Sally Peper and Sandy Albert.