Nickle Mortuary

Nickle Mortuary - Delta, Utah - (435)864-3412

Nickle Mortuary - Delta, Utah - (435)864-3412

Nickle Mortuary - A Legacy of Dedicated Service - Established 1931 - (435)864-3412

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NaRae Ellis Petersen

NaRae Ellis Petersen
Date of Birth:
July 22, 1925
Date Deceased:
January 25, 2025
Funeral Services
Location:
Hinckley LDS Stake Center Chapel
188 North Main Street
Date and Time:
February 1, 2025
Saturday: 11:00 AM

Viewing:

Friends may gather, 9:30 - 10:50 AM, prior to the service.

NaRae Ellis Petersen

NaRae Ellis Petersen passed away on January 25, 2025 at her home in Hinckley at the age of 99. She was born in Moore Idaho, on July 22, 1925 to Joseph Thomas and Evelyn Quetta Larsen Ellis. Two years later, the little family moved to Ogden, Utah where NaRae’s brother, Joseph LaVar, was born.

NaRae spent her early years in California where her father worked in construction and was known for his fine work as a plasterer. Her mother worked in retail sales, a position she excelled in. NaRae always treasured the memories of the years they lived in California where she and her brother could walk to the beach and the weather was always pleasant.

When NaRae was 14, her family moved to Bountiful, Utah to care for Joe’s mother. NaRae and LaVar spent summers with their grandmother Larsen in a small community near Delta, Utah. Here, she met and married Garland Scott Clark and they had two daughters, Valerie and Sue. Soon after, the marriage ended.

In 1946, she met Donald Ward Petersen, a returned World War II veteran and POW camp survivor, at Van’s dance hall in Delta. Ward told her that he came from a large family and his brothers and sisters were all married so he was determined to stay a bachelor. However, he was unable to resist her charms and they fell in love. On January 1, 1947, they were married in The Little Church of the West Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ward farmed with his brothers and NaRae took on the job of being a farmer’s wife. In those days she did laundry with a wringer washer and clothesline, rendered lard and fed hungry farmers who aided one another during harvest. Butter was churned by reluctant daughters. A son, David, was added to their family in October, 1947. Christine, JoRae, and Brent were born in quick succession. In 1953, when Brent was just a baby, they embarked on a new adventure. They moved to the 3000 acre Cove Ranch near Hailey, Idaho. These were their Cowboy years. Ward managed the ranch with 300 head of cattle and 1100 acres of farmland. They joined the riding club and the square dance club. They rode into the hills on week long camping trips with good friends Jack and Rhea Allred. NaRae and Ward were involved in the community and NaRae taught primary in the local LDS church. In Idaho, Richard was born. In 1959, they sold their share in the ranch and moved to a farm near Stevensville, Montana. It was a beautiful area and the family enjoyed the years they lived there. They ran a small dairy, raised various crops and NaRae worked as a CNA. During this time Bobbie and Jill were born, bringing the number of children to nine. Ward and NaRae became very involved in the church. In 1963 the family traveled to Idaho Falls and were sealed in the LDS temple.

In 1964 NaRae and Ward moved back to the Delta, Utah area, where they had begun their life together, and bought a home in Hinckley. After Jill started kindergargten, NaRae began working; first at IGA market then at the West Millard Hospital as a CNA where she especially loved working with the elderly. She finished her working years at the Continental Telephone Co. as a telephone operator. In every job, she was known for her integrity, commitment, and excellent work. She developed lasting and deep friendships with her co-workers.

Nothing pleased NaRae more than to travel. She and Ward visited several countries as well as toured much of the United States. They spent every fall camping in the mountains with Ward’s brother, Wayne, and his wife, Thora. They were best friends and traveled together on many wonderful trips. NaRae and her daughters also enjoyed mother/daughter trips from one coast in the USA to the other. At age 92, she hung up her traveling boots much to the disappointment of her daughters and gave away her car.

NaRae was an excellent cook and was famous for her apple pie, Spanish rice and other delicious dishes. The pecan rolls she and Thora made at Christmas time were especially appreciated by those who were lucky enough to receive one.

NaRae’s children and grandchildren fondly remember gathering in her home for cards, games, and lively conversations. No one was a better listener than NaRae! A conversation with her was delightful because she was interested in what a person had to say as well as being extremely well read and intelligent. The books and other materials she read in her lifetime would number in the tens of thousands! She died wearing her reading glasses and holding her Kindle.

NaRae was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints most of her life. She taught both children and adults and served in many leadership roles, including Relief Society president. NaRae was loved and admired by adults and kids alike. She had great compassion and the underdog was always championed by her. She decided to stop buying a soda everyday and instead, every month sent the cost of a month’s worth of sodas to a charity to help children in undeveloped countries gain an education. Instead of flowers she contributed money to the Heifer International Foundation in the departed person’s name to buy livestock to increase the income of those in other countries who struggle to provide for their family. The many ways she served her neighbors are just too numerous to tell.

NaRae was proceeded in death by her husband: Ward; her sons-in-law: Ron Mason and Brent Wood; her grandsons: Doug Hardy and Troy Petersen. She is survived by all of her children: Valerie Mason; Sue Wood; David (Patty); Christine Cardon (Royal); JoRae Lovell (Sylvan); Brent (Linda); Richard (Maria); Bobbie Killpack (Roger); Jill Guillory (Bob); 46 grandchildren; 171 great grandchildren, 39 great-great grandchildren and 3 great-great-great grandchildren!

Her posterity praises her name for her being the good, faithful, intelligent and fun mother and grandmother she was. Each knows they were individually beloved.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, February 1, at 11:00 am, at the Delta West LDS Stake Center in Hinckley, Utah. Family and friends may gather, 9:30-10:50 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heifer International Foundation (https://www.heifer.org) or the Topaz Museum where she loved working as a volunteer.

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