Kenneth Edward Peterson

Kenneth Edward Peterson, aged 94.95 passed away peacefully on Friday January 19, 2024 in his home in Bountiful, Utah. He was born the oldest son on February 15th, 1929, in Murray, Utah to his parents Edward V Peterson and Helen O Sagendorf Peterson. He is survived by his children Lance (Terry), Kent (Robert), Mark (Stacey), Darin and Marcia (Galen), 29 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

He was a good, kind, selfless man who was always positive even during periods of stress. He had a strong faith in God and love of the scriptures which he read every day. He was there for his children and grandchildren when needed. 

He grew up in Sandy Utah on Pioneer Avenue with his brother Leon (passed) and sister Janice Crump (living) in old Sandy. He was tall, strong, and handsome and learned to play the piano and accordion by ear. He graduated from Jordan High School as a real beetdigger in 1948. He loved to play baseball and basketball in his younger years. 

He married Marlene Rae Merrill of Oceanside California in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple on March 30, 1954. They met while he was serving in the US Navy during the Korean conflict while stationed in San Diego at a Stake Dance for LDS servicemen and girls from Southern California. After their marriage they went on to have 5 children together. He received his Bachelors and Master’s degree in Sociology from BYU. He attended Washington State to pursue a Doctorate degree. He learned French and German over a summer and passed with high marks.

Always academically inclined he taught middle school in Springville Utah then went on to teach on an indian reservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also taught at the college level at BYU Provo, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Church College of Hawaii (BYU Hawaii) as well as Chaminade College and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Afterwards he taught in the Granite School District for 18 years, finally retiring at the age of 80. He received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his career.

In 1963, they bought a house in Bountiful Utah while he taught at the U. The family moved to Hawaii in 1967 where the children learned to surf and had a wonderful experience. They moved back to Bountiful in 1974 and he resided there until his death.

He was active in the LDS church his entire life until his health precluded him from attending church in his last years. But he loved listening to General Conference talks. He will be missed…

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Saturday morning from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery.