Peter John Jongewaard

Peter John (PJ) Jongewaard, age 42, passed away on October 20th, 2026, in St Paul, Minnesota. After a long and heartbreaking struggle with mental illness and addiction, Peter is finally at peace.

He was born June 15th, 1984, and grew up on the farm in Canyon, MN, and attended Cotton School, and later Duluth East. He was a longtime Duluth resident and had been a Twin Cities resident for the last three years.

Peter was a deeply creative, insightful, and caring person with a love of all living things, big and small. Whether it was his beloved cat Tupac, nursing a baby crow, feeding pigeons from his porch in Duluth’s West Hillside, or tending to his giant houseplants, Peter had a special connection with the natural world. He loved traveling, especially to the Rocky Mountain states, Hawaii, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He was a prolific notebook writer, and a very talented and colorful sketch artist whose creativity reflected his unique way of seeing the world.

He is survived by his mother Carrin Rosetti (Richard Gruchalla) of Duluth, his father Peter K. Jongewaard of Canyon, MN, his brothers Shonn (Thu) Twight of Shakopee, MN, Zachary (Mary) Twight of Woodbury, MN, his two nephews Max Twight (Tori) and Alix Twight, and two nieces Maddie Twight and Kairstin (Matt) Jarvi. Also surviving are his aunts and uncles and numerous cousins, and many friends and acquaintances far and wide.

Peter was preceded in death by his brother and best friend Reuben K. Jongewaard, his grandparents Roy and Jessie Stensrud of Duluth, Russell and Donna Jongewaard of Little Falls, MN, and his uncle James Stensrud of Superior, WI.

A private family gathering is planned. Memorials are preferred to the CHUM Center in downtown Duluth, Animal Allies, or your favorite local charity.

Rest in peace, dear Peter John. You will remain in our hearts, and we will miss you and love you forever.