Melissa Peterson

Well, if you're reading this, you know that it finally happened. And I think I put up a pretty good fight with all the "Young" and "Old" age aches and pains. But, reading the histories of my stalwart ancestors made me realize that I didn't endure enough trials or problems to even mention them. And, I want you to know how grateful and proud I am of the heritage that I was given. I'm ecstatic about seeing and meeting all the hundreds of relatives and friends that are definitely living in the celestial kingdom. I know they'll help me along the right path.

I can hardly wait to hug my sweet Lisa that I was so lucky to have been given the stewardship of "Mother" to. Greeting my Mom and Dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dozens of friends that I have missed for so long and so much makes my heart go "pitter-pat".

I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 20, 1932, the 5th child of 6 to Mahlin Sirus Hansen and Bertha Delilah Ohran. When we moved to American Fork in 1941, l met and married my highschool sweetheart, Don. Now, being able to see him again really makes my heart go "pitter-pat". We were married September 1, 1950, with that union being solemnized on September 1, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. What a "ride" we had together sharing our love, fun, and friendship. I thank my Heavenly Father for my eternal companion and the three beautiful children He gave to us to raise, and for the posterity that those children gave to us.

I grew up in Speedway, Indiana until about 10 years old, lived in California for a while with my maternal grandparents, and then settled in Utah where I graduated from American Fork High School. Don and I had the wonderful privilege of living on a farm in Manila (above Pleasant Grove), of planting, harvesting, and canning huge gardens of vegetables. We picked dozens of trees of apricots, cherries, pears, apples, peaches, and plums; milked cows, churned butter, gathered eggs, and watched all sorts of baby animals grow up. I had the fun of travelling, reading hundreds of books, decorating my home, oil painting, crafting, crocheting, and sewing dozens of warm cozy quilts that I was able to share with many family members and friends. I worked outside of the home for 47 years and eventually retired from Brigham Young University in 1997.

I have always loved and appreciated so much my membership in the Mormon church.  I was given the opportunity of serving in many Ward and Stake callings and loved being a Visiting Teacher from the age of 20 on up. I was gifted with my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and stand in reverence of its gifts to Heavenly Father's children.

I have known, worked with, and had fun with many, many family members and friends.  I can't even begin to thank them for their love and support and "therapy" through my lifetime.  My parents and all my ancestors; my husband: Don; my children: Tami, Lance and Lisa; my siblings and in-laws: Virginia and Dee, Paul and Marie, Carl and Linda, Bill and Carol, Ramah and Clark, Cheri and Brent, Lana and Garold; my grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and my nieces and nephews.

I go with joy, so dress in rainbows on this day. Dance at my death and play the music loud and clear. Dance 'til you are out of breath. Make joy and beauty of my death!

A graveside service will be held Monday, February 22, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the American Fork Cemetery, 600 North Center Street.  A viewing will be held from 11:45 AM to 12:45 AM at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork.  Please share a memory on Melissa’s tribute wall.