LaVie Mann Peterson
June 21, 1928 — July 20, 2022
LaVie Mann was born on June 21, 1928, in Bountiful, Utah. She was the next-to-youngest in the David and Myrtle Mann family. She started working in the asparagus fields at 6 years old. She never learned to milk a cow, because she didn’t want to have to take her turn. She went to Davis High School. She loved music and played the clarinet in school, and the saxophone in a dance band. She was a pitcher, and the rectangle target on the side of the garage at their home on Pages Lane was well used. She player/coached her team into many wins on and then against the Shamrocks.
At age 23 she went on a mission to the Southern States Mission. When she returned, she worked hard and focused her efforts on real estate and continued her passion in sports. In her mid-30s she met Vernon L Peterson and after a year of courting she finally lost – lost her heart to the handsome, shy, determined man. She asked him to marry her. We feel like this was the biggest win in her life. She and Vern raised three daughters. They were her work now. She made sure that they tried every sport from bowling to ping pong. They were given music and dance lessons. She was undaunted in her efforts to help her children become successful in life. She especially taught us the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
LaVie will be remembered for her teaching and leadership skills. She was a teacher in Relief Society, Sunday School, and the Young Women organization. She was also president of the Relief Society in the Washington Fields Ward and the Young Women's organization in Price, Utah. She was called to be President of the Primary while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fresno, California Cambodian-speaking mission with her husband, Vernon Peterson, as an answer to her prayers to be able to have more influence on those whom they had baptized in the ward. LaVie loved to serve and spent many hours giving of herself in service in His cause. She shared her testimony and teachings of the Gospel and was a great example of living it as well.
She will also be remembered for her love of and leadership in sports. She was a top competitor and coach in women's fast pitch softball and basketball. She is in Utah’s Hall of Fame for both. At the Women's Fast Pitch Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1975 LaVie was an honored host.
On July 20, 2022, LaVie Mann Peterson peacefully passed on with her daughter/caregiver at her side. We are sure she was met by her husband, her parents, and all of her siblings as well as her grandson RJ, who had passed on before her.
LaVie is survived by Vernell Whitney (Russell) of Alaska, Lynda Hansen (Robert) of Nevada and Kyla Christensen (Shane) of Washington and her grandchildren, Ellyse Stock (Travis), Lance Whitney (Bri-Ana), Caroline Gonzalez (Brandon), Ryan Whitney, Catherine Whitney (Keandre), Celeste Whitney, R. J. M. Hansen, Robby Hansen, Ory Hansen, Andrew Hansen, Alex Hansen, Crystal Hartley, Whitney Reck (Jay), Olivia Coulston (Ryan), Moriah Langston (Haden), Charisty Christensen and Cole Christensen and 16 great-grandchildren who love and will miss her very much.
The viewing will be at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1036 W. Rose Ave., Moses Lake, Washington. In honor of our mother, who was a great teacher and missionary, we ask that in lieu of flowers you donate to your church and help spread the word of God to the world.
Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.
