Lester Dean Petersen

Lester Dean Petersen, 75, was born on December 29, 1947 in Tremonton, Utah and after a short illness passed away in Yakima, Washington on October 30, 2023.  He is the son of Stanley John and Vida (Carlson) Petersen of Garland, Utah. 

Lester grew up in Garland and attended Garland Elementary school, Bear River Junior High and Bear River High School.  He then joined the Job Corps where he learned to drive heavy equipment and then served in the U.S. Army where he spent time in Thailand.

He met and married his “other half”, Grace Marie Harlan, on November 7, 1970.  They resided in Garland where Lester was in business with his dad renting and working farm ground. He loved being a farmer and was learning so much from his dad when in March 1973 his Dad, Mom, sister and nephew died in a car accident.

The direction of Lester’s life was then forced to change.   He took his wife and their little girl, Cissy, to Hermiston, Oregon and worked on a large farm operation.  There they were blessed with a son, Kelly, and a daughter, Cassandra.  Later he took a job near Yakima, Washington driving a school bus.  They resided in Selah, Washington and owned property there.  He spent his career driving for Larson Fruit Company in Selah hauling apples.

Lester really liked John Wayne, old western movies, and especially playing with his grandkids.  He was a Seattle Seahawk football fan, as well as, a Seattle Mariners baseball fan.  He really liked to take walks and loved his morning and afternoon naps. 

His wife, Grace, passed away December 13, 2009 then Lester was left without his “other half.”  They were later sealed in the Logan LDS temple. Lester was very proud of the family they created together. After her passing he spent the summers in the Las Vegas area where 2 of his children and both of his grandchildren live.  This year he spent an extended amount of time in the Las Vegas area with them.    

 He is survived by his children: Cissy Lynn (James) Selah, WA; Kelly Dean and Cassandra Rose (John) Henderson, NV;  his Grandson, Harlan Dean and his Granddaughter, Eliza Grace.  Also survived by his siblings:  a Brother, Glen (Julie) and his Sisters, Jean (Kevin) Richer, Lareen (David) Fox, Mary Kate (Neil) Christensen and Karla (Kevin) McReynolds, a brother-in-law Kenneth Hibler and a sister-in-law Karen Harrison:  Along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; his parents, Stanley and Vida Petersen; his sisters, Audrey Hibler, Beth (Eli) Misrasi and Gayle (Joel) Harrison. He also lost several nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service for Lester Dean Petersen, along with some of his wife's ashes, held in Lester’s hometown at the Garland Utah Cemetery on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Noon.