Arlene H. Peterson

Arlene H. Peterson of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully in her home at 99 years of age on December 26.

She was born November 21, 1924 in Salt Lake City, UT to Rhoda Kay Hudson and Albert Ray Hudson. Her father had previously been married to Abiah Hudson who had passed away, having had six children. He then married Rhoda in 1923.

Arlene lived in Salt Lake City and Provo, UT growing up and also spent many happy summers in Santaquin, UT. She excelled at the violin and was in a string quartet as a young girl.

Arlene worked for the World War II effort in the sugar rationing service. She also worked at the U.S. Weather Bureau in Salt Lake City, taking the official Salt Lake downtown temperature for many years.

She married Donald G. Peterson on March 5, 1955 in Provo, UT. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake temple. Arlene and Don were the parents of four children: Alan, Valerie, Brent, and Janine.

Arlene was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the Lord and served faithfully in many callings. She sent both of her sons on full-time missions for the Church.

She also loved to travel and visited all fifty states. She also enjoyed sewing, completing many embroidery projects, and making beautiful dresses for her daughters when they were younger. She was a good cook, with her specialty being delicious hamburger pie.

Don and Arlene spent much of their time in later years in Bountiful, UT, and Provo, UT, returning to Phoenix, AZ during the winter. They then settled in Wickenburg, AZ and lived there for many years.

Don died in 2013, and Valerie became Mom's full-time caregiver until her passing.

Arlene devoted her entire life to her family. She was a very good, loving mom and wife, and also dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave full-time care to her own mom for seven years. Everyone who knew her was better because of it.

Arlene is survived by her children Valerie Peterson of Phoenix, AZ; Brent (Rachel) Peterson of Fremont, CA; and Janine Peterson of Mesa, AZ; and daughter-in-law Renae (Kevin) Thornton (Alan's wife before his passing). She is also survived by grandchildren Brian (Trina) Peterson of Darien, IL; Scott (Becky) Peterson of Willowbrook, IL; Lanae (Andrew) Bottomfield of Chandler, AZ; DaNae (Michael) Graham of Terre Haute, IN; Tom (Teriann) Peterson of Phoenix; and Joshua Peterson of Fremont, CA. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren. Arlene was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don Peterson, her parents Ray and Rhoda Hudson, son Alan Peterson, grandsons Mark and Matthew Peterson, and one great-grandson Jayden. She was also preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters: Laura (Lloyd) Westover, Melva (Lee) Carbine, Lylia (Rulon) Estes, Albert (Della) Hudson, Horace Orson Hudson, Ora (Archie) Chadburn, and Bonnie (Dick) Taylor.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Santaquin Downtown Church building, 90 South 200 East, Santaquin. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:45  - 10:45 am prior to services. Interment will be in the Santaquin City Cemetery following the service.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful workers of Hospice of the Valley for their amazing support and tender loving care of Mom. Donations to the hospice in Arlene's name would be appreciated.