Joan Alice Jensen Peterson, Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully, at the age of 82, surrounded by her family, on February 12, 2024, after valiantly enduring the effects of Parkinson's Disease.
Joan was born on May 11, 1941, in Logan, Utah to Ronald Victor Jensen and Delores Schiess Jensen. She grew up on her family's dairy farm in Hyrum, Utah where she loved animals, riding horses, and working with her family on the farm. She was the second oldest of six children and enjoyed caring for her younger siblings. Joan loved learning. She was involved in many school activities and was a cheerleader at South Cache High School. She continued her education at Utah State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education.
Joan met her sweetheart and eternal companion, Wayne Peterson, by chance, while on a date at a dance at Utah State University. They began dating shortly after they met. Joan had seen him before and had remarked to friends, "Now, he would be nice to marry." When Wayne met Joan, he thought she was the sweetest person he had ever met. He came to know how true that was.
Joan wrote to Wayne while on his mission, and their courtship continued after his return. They were married in the Logan Utah Temple, on July 20, 1962. Joan and Wayne anticipated celebrating 62 years of marriage this year.
Joan often expressed that her greatest desire was to become a mother and grandmother. She was a devoted mother of 6 children, grandmother of 26 and great grandmother of 19 (soon to be 20). She created a loving and inviting home for her children and grandchildren. They were particularly delighted by her thoughtful gifts, quick wit, and the things she taught them. Joan was actively involved in her children's schools, on the PTA Board, and in their classrooms. She loved spending time with her family and being involved in whatever they enjoyed doing. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life.
Joan had a beautiful soprano singing voice. She loved singing, reading, playing tennis, and skiing. She was an excellent cook and loved serving others in this way. She served on the board of "Love Light's the Way" for the Cottonwood Healthcare Foundation and on the board for the Governor's Mansion Foundation.
Joan was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in her callings throughout her life. She served as a Stake Relief Society counselor, Ward Relief Society president, Young Women counselor, Primary president, and teacher in many organizations in the ward. Joan also served as a support to her husband in his callings and enjoyed serving with him when they were asked to serve together. She served with her husband as Mission President over the California Oakland mission for three years. She loved the missionaries and had a powerful influence in their lives. Several years later, Joan served with Wayne when he was called to serve in the Area Presidency in the Europe West Area in England for two years. Then, they served three years in the Europe East Area in Russia. After completing these assignments, Joan served as Matron, alongside Wayne, who served as Temple President, of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple for three years. She led in a gentle and loving way with both temple workers and patrons alike. These were treasured years for both Joan and Wayne. Upon returning to Utah, they were again assigned to serve together one final time, over the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission in Downtown Salt Lake City for two years.
Joan lived a life of service and sacrifice and exemplified the pure love of Christ. Throughout her life, she met challenges with trust in the Lord and faith in Him.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Wayne Skeen Peterson, her children: Linda (David) Connelly, Jill (Richard) Reese, Judith (Jim) Campbell, David (Marcia)Peterson, Kathryn (Mike) Brimley, and Paul (Emily) Peterson. Her brother, Jon Jensen (Loretta), and two sisters, Rosemary (Don) White, and Maureen (Gary) Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Ronald, and Jeffrey, and one granddaughter, Ashley Peterson.
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary located at 1950 East 106th South in Sandy, Utah.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 11:00 am in the LDS Church at 1825 East 6400 South in Salt Lake City. Prior to the funeral service, a viewing will be held at the church from 9:00 am to 10:30 am that morning. Interment will be in the Larkin Sunset Garden Cemetery.
We express gratitude for the dedicated care and service of Raja and Jayce of Visiting Angels, and Shannon, Sara, and Serena of Hospice of Utah.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
To watch a zoom recording of the service, please click on the tab above that says "Watch Service" or follow this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/97zrWVIOoP1-SDx2HePOsMiKg8EH4V2iXTivymegJfNBXQ66Fy7-81OX0nXSnHTT.Hf_Y8A9QKvHnl34Y?startTime=1708190541000
Our deepest sympathies to the Peterson Family with all our love and condolences.
I served with Sister Peterson in the California Oakland Mission. I loved her as I loved my own Mother. She and President Peterson were shining examples of how to treat others, how to love and be loved, how to serve and be served, and how to build and lead an eternal family. My favorite moment was hearing her sing along with other members of the International Zone at a zone conference. It changed my life.
I served in the California Oakland mission and was a year into my mission when President and Sister Peterson arrived.
I was able to observe first-hand the affect Sister Peterson had on the sisters and the elders in the mission. Her unsurpassing love and acceptance had a lasting impact on more than a few missionaries.
The world is a better place because of the love she shared with us.
My sincere condolences to her family. She will be missed.
Sister Peterson was an amazingly sweet and kind person. She always made you feel good and loved. I loved being able to partake of her home made bread and honey butter. She always had a smile. I will always love her.
Jim Daugherty
She was such a wonderful a gracious soul. She always treated me with such kindness. The first time I ever had homemade bread, jam and honey butter was in her home at the Oakland, California Mission. Sister Joan Peterson and President Wayne Peterson had a huge influence and impact on my life. I'll be forever indebted to their examples. She always had a smile for my stupid human tricks. Namely the backflips I was able to do when I was young! She will be missed.
I'm glad that I had a chance to spend time with Sister Peterson while serving in the Oakland CA mission. She made us all feel like a family with her home baked bread and honey butter. My condolences to President Wayne Peterson and his family. Mahalo ke Akua.
Oh, how we love Joan. Such a special lady. We were blessed to be friends with your family for many years as neighbors, ward and stake members, and missionaries in Nauvoo. She blessed our lives in so many ways. Her gentle, Christlike nature touched the lives of everyone around her. She will be greatly missed. We send our love to you, Wayne, and all of your family.
So sad to hear of Joan’s passing. While serving in the Russia Moscow Mission in 2004-2005 we spent time with the Peterson’s in Moscow while they served in the Area Presidency. We were invited to their home there on a couple of occasions. What a sweet regal lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. ❤️
What a wonderful woman! My love and prayers are with President Peterson and family!
Sister Peterson was an angel on earth. She blessed the lives of all those who knew her. How blessed we all were to have her to learn from while we served our Missions. I am forever grateful for all the things she taught me. My heartfelt prayers to you President Peterson and all of your family. May the Lord bless you all at this time.
A beautiful, sweet woman who epitomised what a true daughter of God is.
I am thankful for her example, influence and guidance whist serving as a Missionary in the California Oakland Mission.
Condolences go out to all her family and friends on her passing.
A beautiful, sweet woman who epitomised what a true daughter of God is.
I am thankful for her example, influence and guidance whist serving as a Missionary in the California Oakland Mission.
Condolences go out to all her family and friends on her passing.
What words can be said to express the kind, wonderful influence and love of sister Peterson, a choice, beautiful daughter of God. For me as a missionary President and sister Peterson’s loving example set the tone for how to serve others and help them see into the window to God’s pure love, and how eternal relationships can be. Sweet sister Peterson had a way to make you feel so loved and accepted. Her legacy of love will not be forgotten.
For over half of my time in the California Oakland mission, I served under the direction of the Petersons. Every time I felt Joan or sister Peterson's warmth and kindness, she influenced me to love, treat, and serve others’ selflessly. Likewise, President Peterson swayed me to be a better husband, father, and Servant-Leader. My love and condolences to the entire family.
Dearest President Peterson,
I hope you remember me, I served under you in the Oakland, CA Mission and for most of my time there I served with Sister Joy Heiner in the Spanish speaking ward on the temple grounds. I am heartbroken to hear of Sister Peterson's passing...she set an amazing example for all of the sisters and we all set out to pattern our lives after her. What Would Sister Peterson Do? I am so grateful to have served alongside both of you, and I feel very blessed to have been under your loving care for the duration of my mission. You and your family are in my heart, thoughts and prayers during this trying time of such great loss. Much love and my condolences,
Sister Kerri Francis (Kerri Francis-Althoff-Gromer)
My thoughts are with the Peterson family. Sister Peterson was perhaps the kindest person I have ever known. It was hard to believe how nice she was to everyone. What a pleasure it was to be able to visit with her at the mission home every so often. I believe her orange rolls were legendary. What a great woman!!
I had the opportunity to serve in the California Oakland Mission with President and Sister Peterson. Sister Peterson was one of the most thoughtful, kind, and loving people I have ever met. She was an example of those traits in every interaction I ever witnessed. She also taught with kindness. She helped this farm kid from rural Alberta, Canada understand more than just spiritual things. She taught me how to "properly" vacuum a room, in the mission home, checkerboard pattern, vertical and horizontal lines. I had no idea. She taught us how to kindly interact with others, even difficult companions. She taught us how to eat soup. "As the ships go out to sea, so shall I scoop the soup away from me." She taught us how to be empathetic with people we were teaching. She taught us how to be patient and unassuming. She taught us how to be respectful. She taught us to set a high-standard for our own goals and pursuits, and follow through with the work required to attain those things.
She always taught by example. The way she treated others, especially her husband and children, became my personal role model for how I should be as a husband and father. She was so completely authentic in everything I observed. She has no idea how much she influenced my life, and I'm sure many, many others. She will be deeply missed.
My humble prayers, love, and condolences go out to President, and all of his family at this time.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers as you mourn the passing of this wonderful daughter of God. She was such a special example to me of Christlike love. What a blessing it is that families are for forever through temple ordinances and covenants, and we will be together again. Much love to all of you!
I'm so sorry for your loss
President Peterson as we finished our called missions in Oakland Ca Your sweet wife has completed her mortal call here with us. I myself have been married for all time and eternity To my eternal mate for 32 years
I know theirs not much that i can say that you don't already know
I pray all is well with you and your family at this time, people will slow down and come together Make the very most of it,
I was asked to give a talk last Sunday 02/11 and it being on the Infinite Atonement of our Savior Its Love that we must comprehend and work into the very fabric of who we are that I felt she had in great abundance.
With much Love and respect
The Harney Family
Patrick & Julie Bryce & Krista Braeden Dallas & Abby and our youngest Samuel Briant
The Lord has blessed us so much
Love ya Greatly from Kentucky
You are always in our prayer. Especially at this time. Heather’s Dad passed on the 11th of this month as well. Both great individuals in my life that have influenced me for eternity. I will always remember the fresh bread that Joan would have for those visiting the mission home. What a wonderful life to reflect on. The Burnhams love you and thank you for your love and kindness.
Our dear Wayne and family, In our opinion, Joan Alice Jensen Peterson IS in fact and in deed "an elect lady." She is a most beautiful person both within and without. We express sincere gratitude for the opportunity to have resided, interacted and ministered in such close proximity to and with you Wayne and Joan in Moscow, Russia, during those memorable years at the turn of the century. We are better than we would otherwise be due to our association with Joan and Wayne Peterson. Moreover, we know that countless people, both at home and abroad, would quickly express the same sentiment. We mourn with you the passing from mortality of our dear friend Joan Peterson.
President Peterson,
I am so sad to hear of Sister Peterson’s passing. She was such a sweet amazing person! I heard more than once other sister missionaries say “I want to be just like Sister Peterson!” She was such an example to so many young women of what it meant to be a strong, kind, valiant woman! I’m sure she will be greatly missed. Thank you for being a wonderful mission president and sharing your beautiful wife with us. Much love to you and your family.
Sister Peterson is a kind soul. I loved her sense of humor. I will never forget her smile and the twinkle in her eye as she explained to a bunch of young missionaries the importance of keeping their apartments and personal appearance clean and presentable. The love that radiated from her as she watched a bunch of hungry missionaries eat her homemade bread and honey butter would warm any heart. She was spot on with her stories, wit and charm. She along with President Peterson are wonderful examples of Christlike service and Love. I treasure any time that I was able to spend with them.
Dear Brother Peterson, Steve and Pat Jones saying hello and so sorry about your sweetheart leaving your side at this time. We have such sweet memories of serving with you in Nauvoo when time allowed for us to be together. I clearly remember the times we sat by one another on the stand during Sunday services. You and your wife were always so kind to both of us. We send you our love and comfort along with a big hug. Love you, Bro and Sis Jones
President Peterson and family,
I am so sorry and saddened to hear about Sister Peterson passing away. I’m willing to bet that if you look up the definition of sweet and nice you will definitely find her name there. I loved serving in the CA Oakland mission with the two of you, and corresponding most years since then at Christmas time. Loved even more that I was able to ask you and see you when you performed the sealing of my daughter to her husband. You both made an impact on my life. ❤️
Sister Peterson is loved by all. Her kind ways, the love she showed, and her delicious homemade bread will be remembered for years to come.
I pray your family can receive the strength and comfort needed to get through this difficult time.
Love to you all.
Kathryn Mitchell (Sister Baird)
What a lovely lady and such a blessing from God to many.
Including me.
I love you Sister Peterson, the world will not be as bright of a place without you.
I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral.
I'm on assignment in Kuwait.
May your family be comforted at this difficult time.
God bless,
Elder John Lee
I have such fond memories of Sister Peterson - like the time I was driving her, Pres. Peterson, and a few missionaries through the streets of San Francisco in a fast, somewhat aggressive way and instead of telling me to slow down, be careful, or some such, she said "Elder Konchar, I want YOU to drive me if I'm ever in a hurry." She was simply the sweetest, most gentle soul I've ever encountered. Every time Pres. Peterson would introduce her or speak of her he would say "my sweet wife.." And indeed she was sweet. The sweetest! She has had an eternal impact for good on all of us missionaries of the great California Oakland Mission!
I served with President and Sisrer Peterson, and was blessed to have President Peterson seal my wife and I for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. When I think of Sister Peterson, I remember her sweet demeanor, and how she did everything she could to serve with a smile despite her health troubles. As I think back on it, I realize that when I was looking for someone to marry, I was looking for someone as sweet as her. I was blessed to find such a person. God be praised!
Sister Peterson, thank you for your kindness and example of how to influence others softly with kindness, meekness, and love unfeigned. God be with you 'til we meet again, sweet friend.
Elder Brian Clancy
Family & Church History Headquarters Mission (2010-2012)
Really sorry to hear about Sister Peterson. She will be missed and remembered. I loved the apple butter we had at the mission home dinner once. Always loved the Peterson.
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful Lady. She was a great example to me while serving in the California Oakland Mission.
I’ve been honored to know Sister Peterson while I was serving as the Young Missionary at Family and Church History Headquarters Mission in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. Her husband was my Mission President there. Sister Peterson was a wonderful person and had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She will be missed. May God bless you (President Peterson) and his family this day and always.
Dear Peterson Family,
I have so much admiration for Joan - or, to me, Sister Peterson. I served in the Oakland mission with her, and learned so much from her gentle, kind, confident way of teaching and nurturing us. I'll always remember, "I'm polite as I can be; I scoop my soup away from me"; and, "Clean sheets once a week is a nice gift to give yourself."
A few favorite memories:
Our mission temple endowment experience was one of the highlights of my mission. We gathered in a room in the temple before we began our endowment session and had a short meeting. President Peterson was conducting, and announced we would sing a particular hymn; I don't remember which, but Sister Peterson immediately interrupted and told President she didn't feel that hymn was appropriate for the temple. I looked at her and said, "Really?" She said, "Yes." He was quiet a few seconds, and then said, "All right, we will sing <some other hymn> instead." I was so impressed, both by her spiritual sensitivity and gentle confidence, and by President Peterson's willingness to be guided by his wife's perception even when he clearly didn't see the situation the same.
My mission, like most, was a time of discovering who I was and who I wanted to be. With those discoveries I came to desire a sort of marriage relationship that I had never had a chance to personally observe; a marriage between two people who were completely committed to the Lord and to each other, and who had a deep personal respect for each other, and trust, affection, and understanding that came as gifts of the Spirit. The Petersons were the first couple I had ever been close to that modeled such a marriage for me. I watched them every minute I saw them together, and took very thorough mental notes! I wanted to find a spouse who was like Sister Peterson - and God be praised, I did.
A few years ago I was in the Peterson home preparing for a mission reunion. I commented what a beautiful home it was. Joan said, "Yes it is; we haven't really seen it much for the last twelve years." Later as we talked about the several life-changing phone calls Wayne had received from Church Headquarters extending new assignments, Joan said, with a sweetly wry smile, "My favorite part of those calls is when I hear Wayne say 'I'm sure she'll be glad to.'" I saw that her commitment and sacrifices were made from a willing but still independent heart. That made her offerings all the more honorable to me.
I love Sister Peterson; I love you, President; I love your whole beautiful family, and I pray for your comfort and assurances as you adjust to what will be but a momentary separation from your sweet and strong wife, mother, and grandmother.
Love always,
Paul Taylor
I felt so sad when Faye notified me that Joan had died. I enjoyed zooming the funeral; it was lovely and sweet, just like Joan was. I enjoyed being in High School with her, and it was always a pleasure when I have seen her since then. I send my deepest sympathy to Wayne and the family.
Little Marie Anderson Burke
Hi Elder Peterson Greg Downs here. I just read today that Joan passed away. I was so sorry to hear that and wanted to express my love to you. Thanks for the memories. I loved working with you. Our paths crossed quite a bit all to my blessing. I look forward to working with you again in some capacity in the next life. Gosh I loved our association. Two good old boys from Roy. Who would have guessed? Call me anytime at 801-916-4904 or Email me at downsgl@gmail.com We can reminisce a bit. I love you.