Evan Peterson

3/7/1930 ~ 10/22/2020

Our cherished father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, Evan Peterson of Mayfield, Utah passed peacefully to be with his wife Grace of 69 years, his infant son and other family members who have passed before him. He died the morning of Thursday October 22, 2020 at 7:22 a.m., after spending 2 months at the Mission Community Care Center in declining health. While there, he made many friends who loved serving him and he loved to entertain them by telling stories of his life and playing his harmonica for them. Evan was a kind and gentle man who had a constant temperament.
Evan was born in Lyman, Wayne Co. Utah on March 7, 1930 to Hattie Cleo Jackson and Laurence Thorvald Peterson. When Evan was 7 years old, the family left Wayne County and moved to Mayfield where they had bought a small farm. They built a dairy barn and milked cows for many years. He attended schools in Mayfield and also Manti.
Evan met Grace B. Hone of Gunnison, Utah and fell in love. They were married in Manti, UT and the marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple in 1965 with all of their children present, except for their first son, Evan Jr. who died shortly after birth. His living children are Elaine Nielson, Evlynn (Alan) Peterson, Janet (Kirk) Anderson, Van Peterson, and Kenneth (Lola) Peterson, all of Mayfield.
Evan spent 56 years of his life in dairy farming. His wife and children were an enormous help to him which taught his children many life-long lessons. He and Grace taught their family by their example of a tireless work ethic. They also taught their family to laugh and have fun and held many parties with friends and family at their home. Evan spent many years serving on the Mayfield Town Council and Mayfield Irrigation Board, where he was instrumental in helping bring sprinkler irrigation to Mayfield farms.
Evan and Grace’s pride and joy was their family who chose to live close to them. This was a great compliment to them that so many of their posterity have chosen to live in Mayfield. Evan and Grace loved and adored each new child that was born and each new in-law that married into the family. They were all treated as their own. They also extended love and help to the neighborhood children and foreign exchange students that came to live with their children. They all have memories of Grandpa Evan who would keep them laughing by telling them stories of his life.
In his retirement years, he loved to watch the JAZZ games with his grandsons aw well as WWF wrestling and the news so that he could keep his family updated. As he declined in health, he simply loved his home health nurses that came to help take care of him, Kristin Gurney of At Home Health and his special caretaker, Amanda, who would talk farming with him, because they had that in common. The family extends our deepest thanks and gratitude to the special caretakers at Mission Community Care Center and At Home Health Care. Special gratitude is sent to his kind doctors, Dr. Dwight Inouye, MD and Wade Anderson, PA-C.
Evan is survived by his children, Elaine, Evlynn, Janet, Van and Kenneth, and their spouses, his 15 grandchildren and their spouses, and his 34 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister Shyrleen TenWolde of Carson City, NV, a sister-in-law, Kathy Peterson of SLC, UT, and a sister-in law Velva Denison of Sandy, UT.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years; his infant son, Evan Jr.; his parents, Laurence and Cleo Peterson; his 3 brothers, Orland, Van and Clayton Peterson, his 2 sisters, Jeneal Poulson and LePearl Allred; and his in-laws, Caledon and Maude Hone of Gunnison, UT.
Because of the Covid 19 restrictions a family funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 11:00 AM with a viewing at 10:30 AM. He will be buried in the Mayfield Cemetery next to his wife. Many thanks go out to his many friends and relatives for their love and concern for our wonderful father. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com