Judy Peterson

1941 - 2025

Judy Anne Cheney Peterson. 84 passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on October 16, 2025.

Judy was born on September 14, 1941, to Lawrence and Sibyl Killpack Cheney in Mitchell South Dakota. She is the third of four children, having two older sisters and one younger brother.

Judy lived in several places as she grew up over the years. Her early childhood years were spent in San Antonio, TX, and Clackamas, OR. After that the family moved to Bend, OR and lived there for nine years. Judy did most of her early and secondary schooling there. She was so well liked and respected by many of the boys in that town because she could keep up and even exceeded most of them with her speed and strength. The family then moved to Provo, UT, where Judy finished her secondary education and graduated from Provo High in the spring of 1959.

In her short time there in Provo, Judy had made many friends. She was known as a social butterfly and was someone everyone could trust. She had a way of making everyone feel important and loved no matter who they were. Her happy character with her contagious laugh drew many people to her. Judy continued her education and after two years received her associate's degree from Ricks College in 1963. In between receiving her associates degree and later her bachelor's degree from BYU, Judy decided, with encouragement from her father to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in the New England States mission for 18 months with Truman G. Madsen as her mission president. With her love for Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel, the knowledge and teaching from a well-known church historian as her president, Judy was a very successful missionary. While on her mission she was called to be a zone leader for a zone of sister missionaries. She was an incredible leader and a stalwart missionary. Truman Madsen in later years had said that she was one of his greatest missionaries.

After Judy had finished her schooling at BYU, she was able to get a job as a school teacher at Juab High School in Nephi, UT. Judy was very successful as a teacher. She received much admiration from her coworkers and developed great love and respect from her students. In the winter of 1967, Judy met and began dating Jay Ronald Peterson. They had been introduced to each other by Jay's brother Carry who also worked at Juab High with Judy. They were sealed for time and all eternity on June 26, 1968, in the Salt Lake City, UT Temple. Judy worked so hard beside her husband for many years. They were quite a team as they farmed together, raised 6 children, and cared for many animals. She had such a strong love for animals and helped teach her children how to love and care for them. Judy continued to serve faithfully in the church. She was a very dedicated cub scout leader for many years. Her teaching, patience and example helped her four boys in their growing years, and many boys in the community. Later she served as a Relief Society President in her ward. In her time as Relief Society President, it was outstanding the number of lives she touched as her love and warmth brought much comfort and strength to many. Judy was known by many to always find something positive out of any situation. She could always find the positive and the lesson to be learned from some of the hardest trials. She was a beacon of light to many. Together with her husband, they went on to serve three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Tempe, AZ, Eugene, OR, and Bentonville, AR.

In the last few months of her life, Jay and Judy had celebrated 57 years of marriage. Even in her last days she was still touching others with her beacon of light.

She is survived by her sister Barbara (Bill) Conway, her brother Craig Cheney, her husband Jay R. Peterson and their six children. Jason Peterson, Jennifer (Jeremy) Jensen, Jared (Cherish) Peterson, John Peterson, James (Kristy) Peterson, JaLene Peterson, and 17 grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father Lawrence Milton Cheney, her mother Sibyl Killpack Cheney and her sister Marian Cheney.Judy you were always kind and understanding. You put your family first and the people you would associate with. Your love of your country and especially the Savior and Heavenly Father were placed at the top of the list. In our eyes we will always love you, pray for you, and will look to the day when we can be with you again!

Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Wilford second ward Chapel. 215 N 2400 E St. Anthony. ID, with Bishop Bryan Bartschi officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, October 24, 2025, from 6-7:30p.m. at the church. There will be an additional viewing Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Wilford church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Parker Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.