Wayne A Peterson

Salina, Utah - Wayne A. Peterson, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 to be reunited with his parents, siblings, and beloved wife and eternal companion, Verle. Wayne was born October 1, 1915 in Richfield, Utah, to Andrew and Annie Nielsen Peterson. He grew up in a very close family with 2 brothers and 1 sister. The stories he would tell of his childhood entertained us all. After graduating from Richfield High School, he attended College of Southern Utah and Utah State University. He received many honors in school and was active in sports, being named to the All State Football team in high school and All-Star Utah State team. Wayne was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. Hunting, fishing, trailer trekking, golfing and photography were just of few of his passions. Wayne was very proud of his military service. It was an honor for him to have served his country for 5 ½ years during World War II in the Army Field Artillery division. He was member of the American Legion and received an award for being a member for 50 years. Wayne married the love of his life, Verle Poulson Burgess, on October 2, 1946. Their marriage was later solemnized on September 8, 2011 in the Manti Temple. They spent 64 wonderful years together. Verle passed away October 10, 2010. After their marriage they lived in Vernal, Utah, where Wayne was employed by AT&T. They later moved to Salina, where they owned and operated a very successful women’s clothing store, Peterson’s Smart Shop, for 25 years. Wayne was very civic minded and was very involved in his community. He was a member of the Jaycees, where he received the Key Award; President of the Salina Lions Club; Salina Riding Club; and a charter member of the Salina Chamber of Commerce where he served as executive secretary for 4 years. He was also a charter member of the Richfield Elks Lodge #2420. While serving in these various organizations, Wayne participated in many projects for the betterment of our community. Many of these projects are still enjoyed by the community today. In between supporting his community and running his business, Wayne found time to spend with his very close knit group of friends and had a wonderful life. He played as hard as he worked. After his retirement in 1974, Wayne and Verle enjoyed many happy years traveling around the world and thru many of the states. They loved spending time during the summers in Star Valley, WY and at Fishlake, and their winters in Mesa, AZ and Mexico. Although Wayne & Verle had no children of their own, they helped to raise many nieces and nephews all of which have many special memories of him and will miss him. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife: Verle; parents: Andrew brothers: Verl A. (Bud) Peterson & Sterling K. Peterson; sister: Madeline Peterson Jenkins Strate. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 12:00 Noon in the Salina 2nd Ward Chapel, 87 South 100 East, Salina. Friends and family are invited to a viewing prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Springer Turner Funeral Home at 150 East Main, Salina. Lunch will be served immediately following the service with interment thereafter in the Richfield City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, and Salina. A very special thanks to Sandy Lantz, who lovingly helped care for both Wayne and Verle, to Dick Sorensen, who has been a dedicated neighbor and an amazing friend, to Margret Keisel, a great neighbor, to Maurice Rasmussen for his daily phone calls and to Home Health & Hospice: Vicki Gurney, Kallie Williams LuGene Kessler and the rest of the staff. Your compassion, help and concern was greatly needed and appreciated. In lieu of flowers, Wayne requested that donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 657 c/o Salina 2nd Ward - Bishop Roberts, PO Box 302, Salina, Utah 87654.