Maxeen Peterson Ward

ELBA – Maxeen Peterson Ward, a 76-year-old resident of Elba, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

Maxeen was born September 18, 1944, at her grandparents’ home in the Starrh’s Ferry area of Burley. She was the first child born to Max Everett and Alice Berniece Bowers Peterson. At this time her father was at basic training and was able to travel to Burley to meet his three-day-old daughter prior to being shipped overseas to serve during World War II. The next time Maxeen saw her dad she was two years old.

She attended schools in Heyburn and graduated in 1962 from Minico High School. She later attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and Stevens-Henager Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Maxeen worked in Salt Lake City after graduating and eventually moved back home where she met the love of her life, Morgan T. Ward. They were married September 12, 1969, in Paul. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Utah Temple.

After Mom and Dad married, they lived in Caldwell and Murtaugh before settling in the Elba Valley, where they raised their family. Casey was born in 1970, Jill in 1974, and Jack in 1979. Mom and Dad spent many happy years raising their family and supporting their children as they pursued 4-H, rodeo and horse shows. Many happy memories were made.

Maxeen was a stay-at-home mom when the children were younger but helped supplement the family income by working for the State of Idaho in the fall inspecting potatoes. Eventually, Maxeen started working for D L Evans Bank in Albion and then went to work for Clark Equine Clinic, also in Albion. While working at the clinic, Maxeen met many people who became lifelong friends.

On March 1, 2002, Morgan and Maxeen lost their son, Jack, in a tragic auto accident. This devastated the family and since then, Maxeen had missed him everyday of her life. Morgan was her strength and when he died suddenly on December 7, 2009, Maxeen was dealt a blow from which she never fully recovered. We find peace in knowing that Maxeen is with Morgan and Jack and in the joyous reunion they are having.

Maxeen worked hard and tried to remain independent and live in her home in Elba. Ill health forced her to move to assisted living and she longed to be able to return to her heavenly home.

Maxeen was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and served in many callings including Young Women, Primary, as the choir director and as a ward librarian (this was Morgan's favorite calling because he could hide out in the library with her).

She is survived by her son, Casey T. Ward; daughter, Jill Powers (Tyler); grandsons, Zachery and JW Powers; and siblings, Clair Peterson (Kris), Colleen Tilby and Jean Belliston (Albert).

In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Allen Peterson; and her father and mother-in-law, Thern and Donna Ward.

The family would like to thank the staff of Highland Estates for their loving care to Maxeen and to also thank Josiah from Harrison’s Hope Hospice for the tender care he gave to Maxeen in her final hours. You truly are angels.

Our thanks to Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home for their compassionate care to our family. A special thanks to Dave Allred.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 19, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elba. Burial will follow at Sunny Cedar Rest Cemetery in Almo.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and at the church on Monday, from 10 until 10:45 a.m.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available at the following link: https://youtu.be/lEIWI0FeFKc.