Jerry Peterson

Jerry Lloyd Peterson, age 82, passed away on April 1, 2021 in his home in St George Utah. He was born December 24, 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Orval Henry and Jeannette Isabelle Peterson. He married Shelda Marie Peterson in Shelley Idaho on June 2, 1961.

He is survived by his wife Shelda Marie Peterson: Children; Jeff Peterson MO, JerriAnn Meredith (Stuart) IL, Loren Peterson (Lori) CA, Kista Eberhard (Greg)  UT and Jared Peterson (Amy) UT; 20 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons Daniel and Michael Peterson.

Viewing and graveside services will be held Monday April 5, 2021 at 3 pm at the Tonaquint Cemetery 1777 South Dixie Dr., St. George, UT.

DAD's LIFE SKETCH

Dad was born on a cold December Christmas Eve, 1938 to Orval H. and Jeannette Peterson. He became Jerry Lloyd, Lloyd named after the Doctor who delivered him.

Dads favorite memories were the summers he spent as a boy in West Yellowstone.  Working at his parents restaurant, Jeannette's Café. He would get lost for hours on his grand adventures of swimming, biking and exploring.

After high school he joined the Marines and served faithfully for three years.

When dad returned back to Shelley from serving as a marine, he headed to the local burger joint because a beautiful dark haired chocolate brown eyed girl works there, Shelda Marie. With his platinum blonde hair, charm and witty sense of humor and of course his pink 57 Chevy they had their first of many hamburgers and milkshakes.

After dating and courting  and finally with the blessing of Sheldon, well close enough. Jerry and his bride drove off in their 57 Chevy  headed to West Yellowstone. With  a can of beans and a heart full of dreams.

The next several years were very busy as Jeff, Mike and Daniel joined the family. Then sweet JerriAnn followed by Loren. Shelda had her hands full and Jerry worked hard to provide for the growing family. He worked his up from sweeping the floors to purchasing director at R.T. French company.

After many years of family life raising small children, bathtime and diapers a special home  teacher really befriended Jerry. His heart was forever touched by the spirit and in 1969 Shelda and Jerry dressed their children of four in white clothes,  took them to the Idaho Falls Temple and was sealed for time and all eternity.

In January of 1973 a sweet baby girl Kista Marie joined the family.

Life was busy with a house full of kids. Jerry designed the Jamestown house, with an acre in the front for red ripe raspberries. As Shelda was very  pregnant, painting the new house, she would give birth to her last son Jared in the fall of 1975. The family was complete.

After 10 years in the Jamestown  house, they packed up the family, their belongings and  moved to Missouri.

Before Missouri  dad became a grandfather. Dad and mom loved having Tyson come stay in the summers with them. It was in Missouri they bought their first little motor home. They went on temple trips, took neighbors with them, had dance parties at the campground,  with strobe lights and made wonderful memories.

A few short years they missed the mountains so they packed up with Kista and Jared headed west. They traveled untill they came to the mountains of Colorado.  In Colorado they started the yogurt shop and the deli in the mall. Dad and mom were blessed with more grandchildren. The deli and the yogurt shop was a family affair. Kista manage the schedule, while Loren and Lori would man the front counter. Jared would help if he didn't have any plans with his friends Friday night. With many years of sacrifice and long hours they ran the deli in the yogurt shop.

Once again dad and mom felt the urge to relocate. With no plan in sight, they packed up and drove literally the middle of Utah. They settled in Mount Pleasant for a few years. Then Jerry and Shelda started their next adventure, the air freshener business. They would work long days and then take off in their camper for the weekends.

As the golden years approached, mom and dad decided to upgrade RV and head to Arizona. With the sun on dad's face and a grapefruit in his hand the winter months were bearable. They made friends,  served at the bishop storehouse and dad was always trying to keep up with mom on their walks each day.

One summer they traveled in their motorhome all the way out to Illinois to visit sweet JerriAnn and her family. They spent a memorable time visiting the church sites in Nauvoo.

Dad and mom would head west to Utah for the summers. They loved meals with their kids and grandkids,  especially playing cards with Kista. Dad loved being outside and  hiking with his grandkids. Kistas girls,  Maddy and Sophie would love when grandpa would stay close so they could go swim in the pool and eat salmon sandwiches.

After almost 10 years of motorhome life, dad and mom would settle in Saratoga Springs Utah. You always knew when it was Tuesday, grandma would whip up a big bowl of teff for breakfast. Grandpa would be dressed in his white shirt and tie and head to the temple or his shift.

After eight long winters for dad, once again they packed up their belongings and head down south. In St. George Jerry would enjoy rides in the general to the Arizona strip with his son and grandchildren. We spent  many hours soaking in the hot tub and eating grandmas's chicken salad.

Dad lived a full rich life. He was blessed with family, the gospel and a love of life. He was a leader, a great teacher and everyone's friend. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren.