Earl Petersen

ELWOOD – Earl Lewis Petersen, age 87, passed away on January 14, 2017 in Tremonton, Utah.

He was born July 24, 1929, in Tremonton, Utah, to Mary Lavon Wagstaff and William Petersen, the second of five children. Earl grew up in Elwood. He graduated from Bear River High School and attended Utah State University. He married Margaret Hadley on December 2, 1949 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Margaret passed away on February 12, 1960 leaving him four young children to raise. He married Gwenva Lou Nielsen on May 5, 1961, in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they had four more children. Gwenva passed away on February 5, 2011.

Earl’s life revolved around his dairy farm in Elwood, Utah. The dairy farm was not only his living—it was his way of life. He was raised on a farm and participated in FFA in high school. After graduating high school, he worked a number of farming jobs and drove a milk truck for Morning Milk. Eventually, he took over his family’s farm and devoted the rest of his life to making it a success.

He served in his church, community, and agricultural organizations. He was the Elwood Town clerk and water master for decades. He served as president of the Utah Coop Council and board member for Cache Valley Select Sires. Many in the community know Earl and Gwen for their years of service at the Farm Bureau Hamburger Stand at the Box Elder County Fair. Earl was very instrumental in the development of the Farm Bureau Service Center. He served in many scouting positions and loved serving as District Commissioner and facilitating Eagle Scout Awards. Earl has served over 65 years in scouting and has been awarded the Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit. He has given service to his church in many positions including scout master, ward clerk, counselor to the branch president at the Tremonton Nursing Home, and officiator at the Logan LDS Temple for 18 years.

Earl is survived by his children, Russell (Sharon), Carl (Lorna), John (Jan), Patricia (Wendy), Scott, and Neil (Jenny), as well as 29 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Earl is survived by siblings Willis (Elna), Carol (Leroy) Ward, and Reed (Phyllis).

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wives Margaret and Gwenva, his brother Harold, his son Richard (Gail), his daughter Marilyn (Michael) Simmons, and two granddaughters, Jami and Kelsey.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Elwood 2nd Ward, 4865 W. 9600 North, Elwood, Utah. Viewings will be held at Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home, 111 North 100 East, Tremonton, Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and at the church Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to services. He will be interred in the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery.