Mildred May Peterson

Mildred May (Millie) Peterson, of Wellton, Arizona, passed away peacefully January 31, 2020, in Gilbert, AZ. She was 94 years young. She was born November 11, 1925 in Wilford, Idaho to Raymond Kenneth Johnson and Wealthy Jane Pincock. She grew up and attended schools in Wilford where she was valedictorian and even won the county spelling bee. She graduated from Sugar-Salem High School.

Millie married Gordon A. Peterson on May 25, 1943 in Boise, Idaho. They were blessed with five children, Wade, Layne, Ryan (deceased at age 7), Liane and Lori. Gordon and Millie started their married life in Idaho (including a sheep camp). After Gordon’s military service they moved to Tolleson, Arizona in 1948. In 1959 they moved to Wellton, Arizona where they successfully proved up on a homestead in the Wellton-Mohawk Valley they received though Gordon’s military service. It is a real tribute to them both for the hard work they put in to making a beautiful farm.

Millie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities but loved teaching the children. Her grandchildren remember her for the books she always took the time to read to them and the games they played. She also didn’t “let” them win. You had to earn your win against Grandma.

She loved growing flowers and her sweet peas were the best because she shared them with so many people. She also loved to read, crochet and do crosswords. She was an excellent cook and everyone was blessed when they got her lemon meringue pie or dinner rolls.

Mille was a survivor as noted by her independence she gained when her sweetheart passed away in 1987. She also survived having the farm flooded in 1993 and a rattlesnake bite in 2001. Her favorite saying was: “I have learned that being with those I love is enough”. Her strength, courage, and love were an example to all.

Those who truly loved and will miss her are her son, Wade (Sandie) of Wellton, Arizona; son, Layne (Sandy) of Wellton, Arizona; daughter, Liane (Alan) Fuller of Gilbert, Arizona; daughter, Lori Peterson of Chandler, Arizona; brother, Kay (Joyce) Johnson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Gordon, her husband of 43 years, and her son, Ryan.

Friends and family gathering will begin at 12:00 pm on Friday February 7th, at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm with burial to follow at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery.