Dwayne Raymond "Pete" Petersen
Marriages
Hazel Terry - June 4, 1939
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8A - July 14, 2010
Dwayne R. Petersen, 74,
Grand Junction, died July 10,
2010, at Hospice Care Center.
Services will be 11 a.m. July 26
at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Burial will be at 1 p.m. July 26 at
Veterans Memorial Cemetery of
Western Colorado.
Mr. Petersen was a conductor.
Survivors include two sons,
Michael of Grand Junction
and Paul of Salt Lake City; one
daughter, Patricia of Grand
Junction; 10 grandchildren; and
eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to
Hospice and Palliative Care of
Western Colorado, 3090 B N. 12th
St., Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3C - July 18, 2010
Dwayne Raymond Petersen, our
father, grandfather, great grandfather
and friend died the evening
of July 10, 2010. He was well
over 91 years old. He was admired
and loved by many people,
particularly by his family. He
lived a long and interesting life.
Dwayne was a soldier, a father, a
railroader, truck driver, business
man, farmer and world traveler.
Dwayne was born on December 14, 1918 in Provo, Utah. He was
the oldest of three sons born to Vera and Raymond Petersen. He was
preceded in death by his younger brothers, Monte and Dale; his son,
Charles, and by his beloved wife of 68 years, Hazel. Together they
had four children, Charles Petersen; Michael (Jan) Petersen; Patricia
Petersen, and Paul (Margo) Petersen; 11 grandchildren and nine
great grandchildren.
His life was all about duty and hard work. He graduated from
Provo High at the young age of 16. His father had died in an accident
widowing his mother, Vera. It was in the midst of the Great
Depression and he had two younger brothers at home, so Dad went
to work to support them and his mother. He was fortunate to get a
job driving a truck from Utah to California. During those difficult
times, his willingness and good fortune, allowed his younger brothers
the opportunity to attend college.
Perhaps the most significant event of his life took place on June 4,
1939 when he married Hazel Terry. They were life long partners
living, loving and sharing together until her death in February, 2007.
In 1959 they moved from Provo to Grand Junction with three of
their children. The eldest son, Charles, stayed in Provo and attended
BYU. They both lived in Grand Junction on the Redlands for the
rest of their lives.
Dwayne was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He fought in WWII in the
Philippines. His battalion saw heavy fighting and numerous casualties.
Fortunately he was in a railroad unit, not a front line combat
unit. He was working as a railroader before the war and continued to
do that for many years after. He was a brakeman and conductor for
the Denver and Rio Grande for 35 years. He retired in 1980 and then
went from a part time employee helping Hazel in their Shaklee business
to full time. The two were able to travel extensively to many
beautiful and exotic places with that company and meet many interesting
people.
Dwayne and Hazel were both members of the LDS Church.
Dwayne became active in the church late in life but always considered
himself a member and was a believer. Hazel was active all
through her life. The church provided a bit of social and spiritual life
for him after Hazel died.
We were all fortunate to have Dwayne’s company for so many
years. Many thanks go out to Michael and Patricia and their families
for assisting him in his later years, which allowed he and Hazel
the opportunity to live out their entire lives at home. Thanks to his
caregivers, during his short illness preceding death. A special thanks
to the people at Hospice for making him and everyone else as comfortable
as possible.
A funeral service will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary on
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., followed by his inurnment at
the new Veteran’s Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.
Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice & Palliative Care
of Western Colorado.
