Gwenva Petersen

Elwood-Gwenva Lou Nielsen Petersen, age 78, passed away in her sleep at her home in Elwood, UT, on February 5, 2011. She was born on January 15, 1933 in Logan, Utah, to John Willard and Mabel Violet Austin Campbell Nielsen. Gwenva (Gwen) grew up in Logan and Young Ward and graduated from South Cache High in 1951. She worked for Bell Telephone for several years before and after serving an LDS mission in the Eastern States Mission. She married Earl Lewis Petersen on May 5, 1961, in the Logan LDS Temple. They have lived in Elwood, Utah since that time with a second home in Logan, Utah, used part time while working in the Logan Temple for the past sixteen years. Gwen had many hobbies and interests including quilting, cake decorating, needlework and genealogy. Gwen was a very devoted companion to Earl and dedicated most of her life to the family dairy farm and service in the community and the LDS church. She served for many years in the Utah Farm Bureau and in local and district scouting, earning the District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver. She held many positions in the LDS church, serving in the Relief Society and other organizations as well as an officiator at the Logan Temple. Gwen was a homemaker and raised eight children, Richard (Gail) Petersen, Russell (Sharon) Petersen, Marilyn (Michael) Simmons, Carl (Lorna) Petersen, John (Jan) Petersen, Patricia (Wendy) Petersen, Scott (Cristy) Petersen, Neil (Jenny) Petersen. She has 29 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren with three more on the way. Gwen is survived by two brothers and a sister, Arthur Campbell, Robert (Betty) Campbell, and Helen (Gene) Michaelis. She is preceded in death by her parents, a son, Richard Petersen, a daughter-in law, Gail Petersen, granddaughters, Jami and Kelsey Petersen, and seventeen brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 1: 00 p.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Elwood Ward, 4865 W. 9600 N., Elwood, UT. Viewings will be held at the church on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m. and Thursday morning 11:30 to 12:45 prior to services. Funeral arrangements are being made through Rudd Funeral Home, Garland, UT. She will be interred in the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.ruddfuneralhome.com