Lewis crowned Carnival Duchess, Peschel named Prime

The Whitefish Winter Carnival kicked off Saturday with the annual Merry Maker, during which John Peschel was named Prime Minister and Miriam Lewis was crowned Duchess of Lark.

The two will join other members of the royal court as carnival events proceed through January, culminating with the parade and day of festivities on Feb. 8.

While technically not a Whitefish native because he was born on an Army base in Germany, Peschel is a fifth-generation Montanan. His parents, Herb and Carole Peschel, returned to Whitefish when John was a year old.

At Whitefish High School he was a member of the golf team. He attended Willamette University in Salem, Ore. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He met his wife-to-be, Laura, on their college rowing team and moved to San Diego where they were married.

They returned to Whitefish nine years ago so their children would grow up the way John did — skiing, camping, hiking and playing golf. Peschel established Valley Linen in 2005. They have two children, Matthew, 8, and Elizabeth, 9 months.

Peschel is a member of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course board and is the fourth generation of his family to serve on it.     

Lewis grew up in Southern Alberta. She spent her teen years and early 20s living and working in Waterton National Park, Glacier’s Canadian counterpart. She continued to work in Waterton during her summers while also attending Cal Poly Pomona University and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant management.

Lewis moved to Whitefish in 1991 after being a frequent visitor of the town for many years. She owned and operated The Place restaurant, where she met her husband, Kurt, a loyal customer. She sold The Place in late 1996, and since has been actively involved in various community organizations such as North Valley Food Bank, Whitefish PTA and now the Whitefish Winter Carnival.

Lewis has worked with the ZaneRay Group since 2007 and has been a cycling instructor at The Wave since 2005. They have two daughters, Hanna and Delaney.

Carnival festivities continue Friday with the coronation of King Ullr and Queen of the Snows at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Whitefish, followed by a disco party at 9 p.m. at the Great Northern Bar. “Viva Las Vegas” is this year’s carnival theme.