Eulala Poulsen Peterson Obituary (1921 - 2018)

Eulala Poulsen Peterson, born February 25, 1921 in Liberty, Idaho died September 13, 2018 in South Jordan, Utah. She was the daughter of Clem and Martha Poulsen and one of 12 children in the Poulsen family. Her early years were spent on a small farm near Bear Lake in Idaho. The family later moved to Smithfield, Utah in 1937 where she attended High School. She always spoke fondly of Smithfield as special place in her life. She graduated from North Cache High School. She met the love of her life, Claytor Peterson, in Fish Haven, Idaho in 1940 while at a dance. They began to plan their life together, but their plans were quickly interrupted when Claytor was drafted into the US Army on March 6, 1941 at the start of World War II. While he was home on military leave, Eulala married her sweetheart on August 7, 1941 in Preston, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple. The war separated the two of them for four long years as he served from 1941 to 1945, in the conflict in the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. During the war, she worked in Ogden, Utah at various defense installations to further the cause of the war effort while she waited for her husband to return home. In July of 1945, after a long and arduous separation, he returned and they began again their life together. They settled in the Ogden Area where they raised four children and enjoyed many wonderful years together. She later began working at the Defense Depot in Ogden where she worked in various payroll and accounting functions. She always spoke fondly of the years she worked at the Defense Depot and the many good people she met that impacted her life favorably. One of the most important principles Eulala wanted to pass on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was this: “Feel responsible for your actions. Don’t ever blame anyone else for what you do. You have a choice – be sure to make the right choice.” Her long 97 years have kept our family united through the generations. Her 61 great-grandchildren have been blessed with her direct and caring influence. They all loved “Grandma Pete.” Eulala is survived by her four children, Vicki (Norman) Godfrey, DeAnn (Harold) Larsen, Kim (Michelle) Peterson and Cindy (Don) Hooper and her sister Norine Jensen, all of whom live in the northern Utah region. She was especially grateful for her 17 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the LDS faith and demonstrated a great love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. She enjoyed serving as a teacher in various church callings in the Primary, Sunday School and Youth Programs of the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at the River Ridge 1st Ward located at 10124 South 1300 West, South Jordan, Utah. Friends and family may attend the viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the services. Interment will be at Elysian Gardens located at 1045 East 4580 South, Salt Lake City, under the direction of Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary. Our family would like to give thanks to the many caring friends and staff at Carrington Court and The Sheridan of South Jordan who have served her so well over the last several years as her health has declined. A very special thanks to Curtis, her hospice nurse, who made her ending hours a sweet and peaceful experience.