Zelma Peterman

A shining example of love, devotion and joy.

Zelma passed quietly on Monday November 4, 2024, in American Fork, Utah.

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, her funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1051 E 2000 N St, Lindon, UT 84042. The Family Prayer is at 2:30pm (in the RS room) The Memorial Service is at 3pm (in the Chapel). On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 2:30pm Her grave will be dedicated at Crestlawn Memorial's LDS Garden in Riverside, CA. 11500 Arlington Ave. Riverside (Norco), CA 92505. No Flowers, please. If you'd like to warm our hearts with something, bring or send a little memory to: [email protected]

Zelma was born May 22, 1929, in Rupert, Idaho. Her parents were Zenos Leroy and Beatrice Norton Whittaker. Zelma was the youngest of 7 children. She grew up on the family’s Big Bend homestead and as a young child one of her many chores was to dig potatoes then cut them up for seed the next year. She was a Rupert High School cheerleader and thespian.

She married Kenneth Lee Peterman on January 2, 1947. They loved to dance. Together they set up a very small home and worked on the Peterman family farm. In 1958, Zelma, Ken and their three children Roy, Kenna and Michael, moved from Idaho to Riverside, Ca. The family fell on hard times. Zelma worked nights and took care of her children during the day, while Ken worked during the day and took care of the kids at night. When all three were in school, she worked at schools in the cafeteria.

After the three children left home, Zelma and Kenny loved to be with their grandchildren, travel, and enjoyed getting together with close friends.

Zelma worked not only for the temporal needs of her family, but she also worked tirelessly for the spiritual welfare of her family, friends and fellow beings. She served in numerous callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Relief Society President, Young Women’s Camp Director, Seminary teacher, a missionary in the Riverside California Mission and a temple worker at the Los Angeles and Redlands Temples.

She is survived by her children: Roy and (LaDonna Winn) Peterman, Kenna and (Val) McOmber and Michael and (Melinda Stapley) Peterman, 16 Grandchildren, 38 Great-grandchildren and 3 Great-great-grandchildren

Zelma was preceded in death by the love of her life and eternal companion, Kenneth Lee Peterman, and her granddaughter, Jana Lee Peterman.

“We love you a bushel and a peck.”