Janet Beth Petersen

Janet Beth Petersen was born November 12, 1949, to Melvin Claude Petersen and Helenmar Christensen Petersen. She died at home on June 24, 2025 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Janet’s childhood and teenage years in Butte, Montana were filled with music at home and school as she played the piano, organ, flute and piccolo. She worked alongside her parents and older brother Melvin in the family grocery and dry-cleaning businesses. On Fridays she refined her love of shopping and shoes with her Grandmother Petersen on their outings in town.

After studying music education at Ricks College and Brigham Young University, Janet moved to Salt Lake City and accepted employment in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Public Relations Department, which also provided her the opportunity to study voice and conducting with Richard P. Condie, then the conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Janet returned to BYU, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Throughout her career, she poured her energy into teaching her students at Mountain View Elementary in the Salt Lake School District. As a 5th grade teacher, Janet was recognized by KSL’s Teacher Feature program. She helped to develop and teach in the school’s first computer lab, eventually becoming the school librarian.

Janet was always making something beautiful. She created through needlepoint, crochet and cross-stitch. She made tole paintings, watercolors, and drawings in pen and pencil. She labored over hand sewn clothes for special occasions. Anyone who knew Janet was surely a recipient of her thoughtful service. She intuitively knew how to cheer and bless those in her huge circle. She would drive long distances and spend endless hours making treats and her crafts to express love and encouragement. Her eternal optimism was one of her greatest gifts. Countless friends and family were recipients of her time and these treasures.

She and her friends attended concerts, recitals, plays and ballets. Her absolute favorite performing arts were symphony concerts and Broadway musicals.

Janet loved the New York Yankees, the ocean, dogs, hosting competitors for the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and spending time with friends. She quietly served others without recognition.

She served the Lord faithfully as ward Primary president and Relief Society counselor, stake music chairman in two stakes, ward organist, primary music leader, gospel doctrine teacher, and temple organist. She was a willing substitute in Primary because she loved the children and was a natural teacher. She completed three senior missionary assignments and eagerly attended the temple doing proxy work for her own ancestors as well as others.

A special thanks to Jen from Quality Home Health and Hospice for her loving care and concern during Janet’s final months here on this earth.

Janet was predeceased by her parents, Melvin C. Petersen, Sr. and Helenmar Christensen and her brother Melvin C., Jr. She is survived by a host of cherished friends, cousins Teri Christensen, Doug Christensen and Tisa Styer, nephews Doug, Curtis and Brandon, niece Kristen, and sister-in-law Sandra.

Her memorial service will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward building located at 1847 West 2180 South, Woods Cross, Utah. There will be a visitation prior to the service, for family and friends from 9:45 -10:45 a.m. at the church.

The memorial service will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.