Herbert Yazzie

Herbert Yazzie, age 80, of Reno, NV passed away on 8 November 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah, of complications following open-heart surgery. Herb was born on 23 February 1945 in Lukachukai, Arizona to Tony Yazzie and Polly Althkinbah Yazzie.

"Rivers" (as he was affectionally known by his family and friends) spent his childhood in Arizona. His father passed away when he was 4 years old. He spent one year attending Dennehotso boarding school and then when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced the "Indian Placement Program" his mother made the hard decision to place Herb in this program to give him the opportunity for better schooling and a better way of life.

Herb was placed with families in Utah. In 1962 Herb was with the Richard and Betty Jean Petersen family in Fielding, Utah where he was welcomed in as a family member. He attended Bear River High School, where he was a member of the Future Farmers group, "Lettered" in athletic sports playing football and wrestling, and sang in the Acapella Choir. Herb graduated from Bear River High School with the Class of 1964 and as a seminary graduate.

Herb learned to work along the side of his beloved Petersen family and neighborhood friends on their farm hoeing sugar beets, hauling hay, feeding cattle and riding horses.

Herb was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a 2-year mission for the Church; first to the Southwest Indian Mission in Arizona and then was transferred to Florida. In his later years he bore his testimony to friends and family of his love for his Heavenly Father and how grateful he was for His Gospel Plan.

Herb served his Country by enlisting into the Marine Corp.

Herb married his sweetheart, Leslye Gray, in 1982 and they were sealed in the Oakland, California Temple in 1999. They were married for 43 years.

Herb held many jobs on different farms and spent many years in the restaurant business. He loved being outdoors and being with family and friends and mostly being with his wife.

Herb and Leslye made their home in Reno, Nevada where they met and cherished many wonderful friends and members of the church. These people were so good to help them when needed and especially since Leslye's surgery and then Herb's surgery. The family gives thanks to those people, especially the Lockharts!

He is survived by his wife, Leslye Yazzie, his brothers and sisters: Jonah (Eloise) Yazzie, Jean Begay, Mary Charlie, Leo (Kathaleen) Benally, his Petersen brother, Richard Matt (Kaylynn) Petersen, and his sister, Lisa Petersen (Jen Stein).

Herb is preceded in death by his father and mother, Tony and Polly Yazzie; his brother, Harrison Yazzie, his dear second parents, Richard and Betty Jean Petersen and his Petersen brother, Bradley John Petersen.

Funeral services will be held on 1 December 2025 at the Fielding Stake Center, 4375 West 15600 North, Garland, Utah, at 11:00 am. There will be a viewing for family and friends at 10:30 prior to the funeral. Interment to follow in the Fielding Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.