Wayne Leland Petersen, 78, passed away July 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City. He was born November 13, 1936, in Boise, Ada, Idaho, to Floyd Simmons and Zenia Mari Larsen Petersen; brother to Linda Kay Petersen Christensen (only sibling); uncle to Linda's children.
He graduated from Boise high School in 1954 and attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) and the University of Utah. Worked in Alaska for the Corps of Engineers. Helped design Utah Freeways as a civil engineer. Served two years in the US Army: Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and Fort Ord, California, where he was in the 2nd EASC (Engineer Amphibious Support Command) and was also a "marksman" shooter. From 1961 to 1963 he worked in Smiths Ferry, Idaho, for M.C. Nelson Logging; 1963 silver mining in Gardena, Idaho; 1963-1971 J.I. Morgan Logging, Cascade, Idaho; 1971 to his retirement in 2012 was a private plumbing contractor, initially trained under Ivan Cantrell, getting his Idaho license in 1978 and his contractor's license in 1980. On March 15, 1997, he married Vicki Anita Freeman, who passed away on January 2, 2005. Wayne was a very talented trombone player: Boise High School Band and Orchestra, Pep Band, Marching Band; Boise College Band and Orchestra; Civic Symphony; and 25th Army Band. His enjoyments were driving stock cars, snowmobiles, playing on horseshoe teams, reading, doing crossword and other word puzzles, music, naps, and his little dogs.
He is survived by his sister Linda and her husband John F. Christensen, and their children Jennifer Purdy, and John, Don, James, and Joseph Christensen.
A graveside service is planned for Friday, July 31, 2015 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery at 12:00 Noon (N Street and 4th North).
