Ruthe Terry Petersen

Lena Ruthe Terry Petersen, 98 years young, died in Ivins, Utah on Oct. 25, 2017. She is the daughter of James Loren Terry and Viva Leona (Folster) Mortensen, born Sept. 14, 1919 in Monroe, Utah at an Aunt's house. Only a young girl could understand why she added an “e” to her name. Genealogists will be forever confused. Her family lived in Richfield then moved to Morgan, Utah in 1930.

Ruthe graduated from Morgan High School and was an Honors graduate at the University of Utah in 1944. She played French horn, was a twirler, drum major and was a Music Queen at the U. She was a life long teacher. She taught first grade for three decades, predominantly at Highland Park Elementary in Salt Lake. Hundreds of Utah children learned to read due to her loving attention.

The joy of Ruthe's life was her husband LeRoy and her family. Ruthe and Roy served for many years on Temple Square as guides and also in the Salt Lake Temple. They were perfect companions on their mission to Hawaii. The highlight was living at the end of the Hana road.

Ruthe is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leroy Eccles Petersen, and sisters Marian Rich and Betty Lou Randall. She is survived by her sister, Janet Rabe, her children, Lynn (Dave) Thorpe, James (Margaret) Petersen, and Scott (Barbara) Petersen, twelve grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Our family wishes to thank all at the Southern Utah Veterans Home who have given Ruthe such kind and tender care these past four years.

Services and interment at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah, Monday October 30, 2017. Viewing at 10 A.M and funeral at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers please donate to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund or the charity of your choice.

Aloha.