Delbert Arthur Petersen

Delbert Arthur Petersen, 98, of Ephrata, passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, from complications associated with cancer. Delbert was born on Nov. 13, 1908, to Arthur Mouritz Petersen and Mary Eliza Seamons Petersen in Hyde Park, Utah.

Born in the early 1900s to an agricultural family in Cache Valley, Utah, Delbert learned at a young age the art and discipline of working the fields and tending to livestock. He and his siblings spent countless hours pasturing cattle and harvesting and hauling wheat, hay, and alfalfa.

Despite his hard work in the fields, Delbert still made time for his favorite sport — baseball! Delbert also had a love and excitement for music and scouting, and could perfectly send and receive Morse code. During his youth, he was an active trumpeter and drummer in a Cache Valley dance band and orchestra.

Delbert's greatest passions were for the gospel of Jesus Christ, family and friends. He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He remained faithful and diligent to his church, and priesthood responsibilities, and worked tirelessly to be a good example to his family, friends, and peers.

In 1925 he caught the eye of Mildred Burgess and on Dec. 12, 1928, Delbert married his eternal sweetheart in the Logan, Utah, Latter-day Saint Temple. The endearing couple parented three children; Joyce, Milton and Dixie. Delbert and Mildred worked hard over their 62-year marriage to ensure the same gospel principles taught to him by his parents and grandparents were offered to his children.

Delbert was one of the first farmers in the Columbia River area, leaving Hyde Park, Utah, in March 1954 to participate in the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project in Washington State. He was the hardest of workers and refused to be idle. Delbert's enthusiasm for horses and farming never ceased and he continued to work outdoors late into his 90s.

Delbert's life was committed to service, sacrifice, and courage. He was committed to carrying on the traditions of his ancestors who struggled mightily as they trekked across the plains as part of the Willie Handcart Company to pursue religious freedoms. Their sacrifice profoundly affected Delbert and his desire to live his life to be worthy of the sacrifices they made.

Delbert considered his family as one of his greatest blessings, including his parents and grandparents, and was so proud of their accomplishments. One of his celebrated traditions was gathering as a family on Sunday evenings for popcorn and root beer floats. Delbert had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, his role as our Savior, and the opportunity our Savior provided us to be in his presence with our families for all eternity. He was and continues to be a beacon of strength, devotion, perseverance, faithfulness, compassion, and humility.

Delbert is survived by his brother, Mervin and Charlotte Petersen of Denver, Colo., sister-in-law, Gretta Bingham Petersen of Bountiful, Utah, children, Joyce and Hal Richmond of Plano, Texas, Milton and Janet Petersen of Richland, Wash., Dixie and Lyle Bair of Ephrata, 17 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 29 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; parents: Arthur and Mary Petersen; brothers and sisters: Vonda, Hattie, Frank, Wilma McQuarrie and Sarah Mauchley; grandson: Steven Bair.

Delbert will be greatly missed; however, we are thrilled to think of the great reunion that is taking place as he reunites with his sweetheart, grandson, parents, brothers and sisters and many other friends and family.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, in the Ephrata LDS stake center, Division E and Ivy N.E. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel, 300 G Street S.E., Quincy on Friday, July 13, and on Saturday, July 14, from 2 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at the Ephrata LDS stake center.

Interment will commence on Wednesday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at the Hyde Park Cemetery in Hyde Park, Utah, where he will be laid to rest next to his sweetheart, Mildred.

Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel, 509-787-2223, in Quincy is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.