Colleen Peterson

Leola Colleen Peterson

With gratitude for the reunion of their parents, the children of Colleen Peterson announce the passing of their mom the afternoon of July 1, 2026. She was surrounded by her children and many family members both in person and in spirit during her last hours with us. We are certain that the reunion between mom and dad was sweet. They had been married for 66 years.

Mom was born on October 5, 1940 in Ely, Nevada to Alvin and Leola Christensen. She spent her childhood and teen years living in Marysvale, Utah with her parents. Often, they traveled following her father Alvin's employment positions, returning to Ely throughout those years.

Colleen graduated from Marysvale High School. She then married Vodell Kay Peterson on September 19, 1959 (marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple July 15, 1977) and began their life together. She moved with him to his military assignment in Fort Ord, CA. Later they returned to the Salt Lake area and eventually they settled in and raised their four children in West Valley City, Utah. Colleen was able to maintain their home working occasionally outside the home to help with the family needs. Mom deeply loved and served her family. After dad retired, they moved to Marysvale to care for her mom and continued to live in her childhood home until they could no longer care for their needs independently. At that time, they moved to West Jordan to reside at Sunridge Assisted Living until their time on earth was complete.

Mom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a variety of callings throughout her life. She was an active part of The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers during her later years in Marysvale, enjoying her friendship and service with those in the area. Mom enjoyed sewing, often creating costumes for road shows, clothing, and textiles such as curtains and drapes for her home and children. She enjoyed making beautiful quilts, both hand quilting with her mother as well as tying quilts for those she loved. She enjoyed multiple crafts and could be found working on a variety of different projects. Later in life mom began making floral arrangements, up until the past few years mom and dad would take her beautiful arrangements around to their loved ones on Memorial Day, ensuring those who had passed were remembered with love.

Colleen is survived by her four children and their spouses, Elizabeth (Steven) Dale, JoAnn (Tad) Jolley, Dennis (Danielle) Peterson, and Steven (Terasa) Peterson. 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Colleen also has one surviving brother, Karl Douglas Christensen. She is preceded in death by many family members including both parents, her husband Vodell, her brothers Alvin Vernon Christensen and Neil C. Christensen, a grandson Kelvyn, and great-granddaughter Aurora.

Funeral services will be under the direction of Magleby Funeral Home on Friday July 10, 2026 at the Marysvale Ward House (800 W Bullion Ave.) with a viewing from 11:30-12:30 and funeral at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Marysvale City Cemetery.