Mitchell D & Ruth Peterson

Mitchell D. & Ruth Ann Peterson

Monroe, Utah

Our parents, Mitchell D. and Ruth Ann Peterson, were called home to their loving Heavenly Father on March 11, 2015 while traveling in New Zealand. Their loss was unexpected and has left us heartbroken, but their lives and legacy are something we will remember and honor forever.

Our parents started their wonderful life together on October 9, 1987 when they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

Dad was born on April 2, 1964 in Richfield, Utah. He was an eagle scout, graduated from South Sevier High School, and served as a faithful full time missionary of the Lord in Indianapolis, Indiana. He then attended UVSC and graduated from Brigham Young University. He loved to garden and spend time in his yard and took pride in making it beautiful.

Mom was born September 20, 1965 in Provo, Utah. She participated in drill team and graduated from Mountain View High School. She attended UVSC where she served on the LDS institute council. It was there that she met the love of her life. She was a wonderful homemaker and loved doing things to make her children feel special. She was very creative and loved holidays. She spent countless hours decorating for holidays, celebrating and making memories with her children and grandchildren.

After graduating from BYU, our parents moved to Forest Grove, Oregon to attend Pacific University where Dad earned his degree in Optometry. Dad always dreamed of returning home to Sevier County and building his practice. After moving to Richfield, they immersed themselves in the community through church, friends, family, and their business. He loved his career and cared deeply for his patients and those he worked with.

They both actively served in the church throughout their marriage. Dad was humbled by his calling as the bishop of the Monroe 3 ^rd Ward and deeply loved the people he served.

Our loving parents dedicated their lives to building a good life for their family, which they extended to include all those in the community they loved. Our parents always said that their favorite way to spend time was surrounded by their children and grandchildren. Their favorite spot in the world was sitting on the back deck together, looking out at the mountains and talking.

Russell M. Nelson said "Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: ‘Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.’ (D&C 42:45.)

"Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."

Our parents' life was full of love. They loved us deeply and taught us the value of family and tradition.

They are survived by their five children: Marissa (Ammon) Cunningham, Danielle (Brett) Owens, Camden, Kyler, and Brenner Peterson; two grandchildren: Emerson and Davis Cunningham. They are also survived by Mitchell’s three sisters: Natalie (Christian) Forsyth, Lisa (Brian) Capt, and Lana (Shane) White; Ruth’s five siblings: Cathy (Steven) Baugh, Chad (LaNae) Callahan, Jill (J.C.) Taylor, Sherrie (Randy) Morris, and Robert Shaw.

They were met in heaven by Mitchell’s parents Dallis and Saundra Peterson; his step-mom, Suzanne Peterson; and Ruth’s parents, Robert Shaw and Shirley Gibbey; her step-father, Wendell Gibby; and her twin sister, Robyn Shaw.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 27, 2015 at 12:00 Noon in the Central Valley Ward Chapel, 65 North Main. Friends may call Thursday at the Magleby Mortuary from 5-8 p.m. and Friday at the ward chapel in Central Valley, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Annabella Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.

An education fund for the children has been set up in Mitch and Ruth’s name. Donations may be made at any Zion’s Bank.