Debra Peterson Mundt is the daughter of Bea Peterson, an award-winning journalist who went on to become politically active in North Dakota and in the National Democratic Party. Debra recently published a book of her mother’s work and the story of her life, titled “West of the Wide Missouri,” which was the title of her mother's personal column when writing for the Dickinson Press. Bea also wrote for the Bismarck Tribune and several other newspapers. Her working papers are stored at the North Dakota Heritage Center and the Chester Fritz Library at the University of North Dakota. 

A member of the North Dakota and National Press Women for 30 years, Bea received the North Dakota Press Woman of Achievement award in 1974 and 1981. Over span of less than 20 years, Bea won 91 state awards in North Dakota Press Women (now NDPC) communication contests and received eight national awards, including two first place honors. 

Mundt grew up on the family farm in southwestern North Dakota and earned a pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University, practicing for many years. After retirement, she wholeheartedly took on the project of publishing her mother’s work as a journalist and activist.