Margaret "Peggy" Elayne Prestrud

Margaret “Peggy” Elayne Prestrud, age 70, passed away on December 12th, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 25, 1955, in Laramie, Wyoming, to Gene and Marge Anderson. Throughout her childhood, the family moved across Wyoming for Gene’s work before eventually settling in Billings, Montana— the place that truly felt like home.

Peggy met the love of her life, John Prestrud, at a very young age, and their bond was immediate and enduring. On June 5, 1971, they married and spent the next 54 years building a warm, comfortable life together. Their marriage was filled with hard work, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

A naturally creative soul, Peggy was a talented seamstress, crafter, and decorator. She had an eye for detail and found joy in watching home design shows and imagining new ways to make her home beautiful. Her creativity brought warmth and personality to every space she touched.

Peggy embraced motherhood wholeheartedly. She and John welcomed two daughters, Kori and Kati, and Peggy was a deeply attentive mother who was always just a phone call away. She spent many cherished years as a stay-at-home mom before beginning work in the real estate department at First Interstate Bank in 1987, where she valued the friendships she formed. In 1999, she transitioned to working full time for the family business, High Country Distributing, where she handled the books and ordering—and, most importantly, kept John in line.

Stubborn in the very best ways and endlessly loving, Peggy was fiercely loyal and a caretaker at heart. She spent many years devoted to caring for her parents. She was beautiful inside and out, with a gentle humor and compassionate presence that made people feel understood and supported.

She loved spending time with her family enjoying dinners out, shopping with her girls, or walking her beloved dogs, Mo and Cindy Lou. These simple moments brought her the greatest joy.

Peggy fought cancer long and hard, never once accepting that it would win. Her strength was extraordinary. She endured more than most could imagine, carrying herself with grace, resilience, and a quiet courage rarely seen. To know her was to witness true strength wrapped in kindness, beauty, and love.

Peggy is survived by her husband, John; her daughters, Kori (Trevin) Dabney and Kati (Jonathan) Newsome; and her four cherished grandchildren: McKenna, Cameron, and Logan Dabney, and her namesake, Maggie Newsome. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Marge Anderson; her treasured brothers, Garry Anderson and Robb Anderson; and her beloved Boston Terrier, Sofee.

Peggy leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, strength, and devotion that will live on forever in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her. A celebration of the life of our sweet mom will take place in Spring 2026.