Brent J Peterson

BURLEY – Brent J Peterson, age 80, of Burley, Idaho, passed away at his home, from pancreatic cancer, Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

Brent was born December 13, 1940, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to John Heber and Bernadene Bird Peterson. He grew up in the little community of Wapello, near Blackfoot, with three brothers and four sisters. The family moved to the Goshen area during his high school years, and he graduated from Firth High School as valedictorian of his class. In Goshen, he met a pretty neighbor girl, Vicki Larsen, and they dated and were married after graduation on September 2, 1959, before heading off to Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

In 1961, Brent’s father began developing land for irrigation in the Heglar area of the Raft River Valley and asked him to help manage the farm. With a desire to farm, he jumped at the chance and never looked back. In time, that farming experience grew to include farms in King River, Nevada, as well as Glenns Ferry, Cottrell, and Declo.

To Brent and Vicki’s union, six daughters in a row were born, followed by three sons. For a period of nearly 25 years, they had a child attending Declo High School.

Brent also worked in several ag-related businesses and eventually worked for seven seasons as an agricultural adviser and manager on three overseas projects in the Republic of Georgia, Turkey, and Romania. He also worked as a consultant on farms in South Dakota and Montana. For twelve years he managed the Tare Lab for the Amalgamated Sugar Company during the harvest.

Brent was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because his parents were very active in the Church, he claimed he had been involved since he was a babe in arms. He served in many teaching and leadership positions, including high councilor, stake mission president, and bishop. He and Vicki served as ordinance workers in the Twin Falls Temple and they also served two six-month missions in the Tennessee Nashville Mission.

Because his father was a great scouter, Brent also loved the Scouting program and was involved for most of his life. He started as an Explorer advisor, working directly with the boys for many years, then as a member of the Scout committee, merit badge counselor, as well as a stint of service as Committee Chairman of the Cassia District. He also served the community as a member of the Cassia Memorial Hospital board for five years.

Brent loved music and enjoyed singing. He participated in the ward choir most of his life. When they were younger, Brent and Vicki sang duets together. For several years, he also sang with the barbershop harmony group, the Snake River Flats.

He had two main hobbies in his later years: gardening and writing. He loved to raise a garden and work in his yard, claiming that was the only farming he had left to do. He compiled and wrote four books about the histories of his ancestors and also wrote the life story of his parents. He also wrote seven books about his own life story, including a children’s book with his daughter, Lori, about his adventures growing up on a farm. These stories were filled with many family events, Thanksgiving and Christmas activities, and always an annual family reunion. In later years, Brent and Vicki’s time and love were devoted to their large family.

Brent was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Vicki; his siblings; and his nine children, Sherri (Mike) Wardinsky, Lori (Glen) Steadman, Camille (Gerald) Ackerman, Regina Tausinga, Tiffany (Tonga) Angilau, Nicole Parker, John (Julie) Peterson, Blake Peterson, and Glade (Amber) Peterson; 31 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 25, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Springdale 2nd Ward, located at 519 E. 200 S., of Burley, with Bishop Scott Turpin officiating. Burial will follow at Declo Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, October 24, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday prior to the service at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/4AzVHOMz6fg.