Thora Hess Thomsen Petersen Obituary (1912 - 2008)

Born October 15, 1912 in Silkeborg, Denmark, a twin daughter of Christian Emil and Kristine Thomsen, passed away October 12, 2008 in South Jordan, Utah. Married Villiam Pedersen, June 22, 1943 (later divorced); immigrated to the United States in May 1947. Lived in Centerfield, Utah and then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. They raised five children. Married David Petersen, November 21, 1975 and widowed two years later. Thora loved her family, and would look forward to seeing the many visitors each Sunday. She enjoyed playing the piano, and she played the piano and organ in church meetings most of her life. She was also a writer, and wrote a collection of poems and stories, some of which were published in Denmark. Thora also had a special love for children, and she worked in the Salt Lake Temple for 11 years as supervisor of the youth center. After her retirement from the temple, she served a mission in Sacramento, California, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then spent 14 years (part-time) as a name-extraction missionary in the Church Office Building. Legacy Retirement Center was her home the last eight years, and the family would like to thank the staff and residents for their many kindnesses to her. Following their 95th birthday, Thora and her twin sister, Engla received the recognition of being the oldest twins in the LDS Church worldwide. She and her twin sister were winners of the “Twin Contest” at the Utah State Fair several times. She is survived by her twin sister, Engla Christensen; a brother, Orville Thomsen; children: Arly Pedersen (Charlene), David Pedersen (Pam), Ezra Pedersen, Ruth Leister (Dan); daughter-in-law, Glenda Pedersen; 46 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, David; son Melvin H. Pedersen, grandson, Robert Delaney; brothers, Ejnar Thomsen and Arly Thomsen; and sisters, Johanne Madsen and Lilly Larsen. Friends are invited to a viewing at the Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.), 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19. Funeral Services will be held at the LDS chapel located at 10200 South 1300 West on Monday, October 20, 12:00 noon. A viewing will also be held at the chapel one hour prior to the service. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.