Joan Sandvig Peterson, pioneer in Minnesota speedskating, had it ‘in her blood’

For Joan Peterson (née Sandvig) and her four siblings, an interest in speedskating was natural. Growing up in south Minneapolis, about a mile from the skating oval at Powderhorn Park, all five Sandvig children gravitated to the sport.

“You hear people say, ‘It was in her blood,’” said daughter Amy Peterson Peck, a three-time Olympic medalist. “She and her brothers and sisters would walk down to the park together and go skating. It really was a family affair. I have 13 cousins who all took up speedskating. It was in their blood.”

Peterson, who was inducted into the U.S. Speedskating Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2009, died on Nov. 18 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The Minneapolis native was 90.

After retiring from competitive skating at age 18, Peterson, who was a Silver Skates champion in Minneapolis at the age of 9, continued her interest in the sport for the next six decades as a referee and on the boards of multiple organizations.

While skating for the Loring Speedskating Club, Peterson, who attended Roosevelt High School, met future husband Howie Peterson. Howie Peterson, who had played hockey at Johnson High School in St. Paul, was friends with future Gophers, North Stars and U.S. Olympic coach Herb Brooks. Brooks and Peterson were in each other’s wedding party.

After their wedding, Joan Peterson began her teaching career and Howie Peterson worked at a skate shop and then at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood.

Joah Peterson started officiating at long and short speedskating track events in 1976 and eventually became a referee at U.S. and North American events.

“Joan made a tremendous impact on the sport of speedskating, locally here in the Twin Cities, as well as at the national and international levels,” said Nick Pearson, program director for Midway Speedskating Club. “Whether it was as a volunteer, a competition official, or an advocate helping make the John Rose Oval a reality, she devoted herself fully to the sport.

“The Sandvig, Peterson, and Shobe families are well known throughout the speedskating world, and Joan’s dedication played a major role in shaping that legacy. It is volunteers like Joan Peterson who built this sport into what it is today and whose influence continues to inspire the skaters now chasing their dreams on the ice. We are deeply saddened to hear of Joan’s passing, but her lasting impact will forever live on in the sport she loved.”

In her biography on the U.S. Speedskating Association website, Peterson said, “Someone called me and said, ‘Bring your skates. We need help.’ I’ve been [refereeing] ever since. Speedskating is a great sport. You learn a lot of discipline and conditioning. I’ve met so many wonderful people.”

A highlight for Peterson occurred when she volunteered at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Peterson got to watch Amy carry the U.S. flag during the opening ceremonies and skate in the short track competition. Amy competed for the U.S. in five Olympics, the most by a Minnesota native.

Joan Peterson would go on to spend 34 years teaching elementary school, finishing her career at Weaver Elementary in Maplewood.

In addition to daughter Amy, Peterson is survived by daughter Lynn Lampi; five grandchildren; brother Gene Sandvig; and sisters Connie Brunkow and Lorraine Carlson. Gene Sandvig, the oldest of the five siblings, was a member of the 1952 and 1956 U.S. Olympic teams.