Dorothy Lois Petersen

Dorothy Lois Petersen, 94, of South Jordan, Utah, passed away on May 3, 2026, at Copper Creek Memory Care Center in South Jordan.She was born on September 16, 1931, in Magna, Utah, to Charles Thomas and Dorotha Mills Shaw.

Lois was born and grew up in what was once the small town of Magna. She was the first of three children born to Tom and Dorotha Shaw. Her siblings were Margie Lapreal Smith and Charles Terry Shaw. Lois lived in Richfield for a short period during the depression, while her father worked in the C.C.C. camp.

Lois attended Webster Grade School, where in fourth grade, she first saw the love of her life, Nelson (Nels) Petersen. She then attended Cyprus Jr. High, and later Cyprus Senior High School, where she started dating Nels.

She was a member of the award-winning Cyprus High School drum & bugle corps,played piano, and in her Senior year, became Student Body Vice President but was elevated to Class President after the President resigned shortly after being elected. She faithfully served as Class President for the remainder of her Senior year. She organized many high school reunions over her lifetime until there were few classmates left.

Nels and Lois were married shortly after Nels graduated from High School, because he was a year behind her in school. A year after their marriage, Nels was drafted into the Marine Corps, and Lois was on her own for a time. She moved back into her childhood home while Nels served in the Korean War for the next two years.

They began their family after Nels was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1953.Their first home was in Magna, just down the street from Lois’ childhood home. After David and Dawn were born, they moved back to Nels’ family farm, built a new home,and welcomed into the family their most precious child, Brent. Four years later, the family was complete, with the birth of Craig.

After a short stint of working in the Bakery at Winder Dairy, Lois decided it would be best to become a stay-at-home Mom, which she did until the last of her children left home. Along with being a mother and housewife, she helped Nels with some of the farm work until her children were old enough to handle the chores.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was given many callings over her lifetime. She was called to serve as the sacrament meeting and Primary pianist. Her favorite calling was in the Primary Presidency or any calling to do with the Primary. Going to church was a difficult task as she did so on her own with four children. When Craig was still an infant, Lois and Nels decided to go through the temple and be sealed as an eternal family.

After all the children were raised, came the grandchildren. Sixteen of them over the years. Lois loved to have her grandchildren stay over and spend time with her. There were many treasured traditions that the grandchildren looked forward to year after year.Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Lois and Nels lived in the house they built on the farm and raised their four children until 2013. The corner they lived on, in the city of West Valley, formerly known as Granger,became exceedingly dangerous; crime became more prevalent, and with 6 robberies,one of which was an armed robbery, they felt it was time to leave. Most of their children and their families lived in South Jordan, and when a home became available, in the same neighborhood as two of their children, they sold what was left of the farm and moved to South Jordan, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Lois described her home in South Jordan as “She had died and gone to heaven.” She was so happy to be close to and surrounded by her family.After Nels’ passing, Lois moved to the Copper Creek assisted living center, where she spent the last year and a half until her passing. She met many new friends, enjoyed playing bingo and attending Sunday services again.Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her childhood sweetheart Nelson, daughter Dawn Hill, sibling Margie Smith, brother-in-law Merlin Smith, and sister-in-law Shiela Shaw.

She is survived by her children, David (Kathy) Petersen, Terry Hill (Son-in-law), Brent (Kim) Petersen, and Craig (Cindy) Petersen; as well as 16 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Parkway 4th Ward, 3407 W 9625 S, South Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held at the church prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Services will be live streamed by Russon Mortuary on YouTube and this obituary page.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the kind and loving caregivers at Copper Creek Memory Care and Assisted Living, Ovation Hospice, and Rachelle Harris Home Care for their compassionate and loving care.

Lois will be remembered for her great love of family and the lasting legacy she leaves through generations who will cherish her memory. Our loving mother, Dorothy Lois Petersen, completed her life’s journey and was reunited with her eternal companion, her Daughter, and many eagerly awaiting family members. It was maybe the first party she’d ever been late to.