Glenna Peterson Obituary (1928 - 2021)

Glenna Peterson, age 92 of Murray, Utah passed away March 22nd due to the effects of advanced age. Glenna was visited by and cared for at the end by much of her large family and several good women from Encompass Health. Glenna Mae Meyer Peterson was born in 1928, the fourth and last child of August and Edna Meyer in Kansas. Her young, idyllic life was spent on family farms, one smaller with a “stone” house, and a large farm of 320 acres with a “frame” house. As typical of the time, the family survived through a combination of growing corn, wheat, oats and alfalfa; planting a large garden; raising pigs, cows and chickens; and bartering with fellow community members. Glenna appreciated the encouragement and financial support she received from her sisters to be the first in her family to attend and graduate high school. She was a good student and continued her education at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. Upon completion of her course work, she became a Registered Nurse and was hired on at St. Francis Hospital as a surgical nurse. After settling her children in school, she returned to nursing. After a few years of that, she became a real estate agent and landlord, and really enjoyed the new adventure. While in Wichita, she went on a blind double date with Max Peterson. The romance blossomed and soon the couple was headed to Glenna’s parents to “meet the family”. Their story took an unexpected turn when the car Max was driving was hit head on by a drunk driver and they ended up recovering at the very hospital where Glenna worked. Glenna’s work at the hospital earned the couple special treatment. This is where Max proposed marriage; Glenna happily accepted. Max introduced Glenna to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She wholeheartedly embraced the restored gospel and remained a faithful member of the rest of her life. She and her beloved Max were sealed in the Manti Temple. Glenna and Max spent their first three years in Kansas which brought the first three of five boys into their lives. Their next adventure took them to Colorado where their only daughter and another son joined the growing family. Their time there was short and in 1962 they purchased a nice brick home in Utah, where they each remained until their deaths. While living there, Max and Glenna welcomed their last son and did their best with all the attendant challenges involved in raising six children. Glenna’s hands were constantly busy baking; writing family stories; genealogy; and making quilts, rugs, clothes and decorations for her home. She was well-known for her artistic talents. She was particularly passionate about watercolor painting, eventually creating hundreds of paintings. She painted pictures of nearly all of the many places she travelled and enjoyed taking art classes to improve her skills. Her paintings garnered ribbons in local art shows and gained recognition in the community. She shared her talents and mentored all who were interested. Glenna is preceded in death by her husband, Max; her parents, her sisters, Naydeene (Harden) and Jean; her brother, Marcellus (Myrtle); two daughters-in-law, Sydnee Thorup Peterson (Barry) and Schalane Simmons Peterson (Rodney). She leaves behind Mark and his wife, Donna; Joseph and his wife, Susan; Barry and his wife, Dianne; Cynthia Frogley and her husband, Dave; Rodney; David and his wife, Cyndi; 23 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. The viewings will be held on Sunday, March 28th, 2021 from 5:00 -7:00 pm and prior to the service on March 29th, 2021 from 9:30-10:00 am. At Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, located at 4760 S. State Street, Murray, Utah. Funeral Services will be held on March 29th, 2021 at 10:00 am. At Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, Murray, Utah. Glenna will be laid to rest beside her husband in Centerfield, Utah.