1939 ~ 2018

On March 19, 2018, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, age 78, passed away peacefully in her West Jordan home surrounded by family following a courageous battle with ALS. She endured this devastating disease with grace, dignity, and a positive attitude, never complaining or feeling sorry for herself.

Julie Marie Shelley Peterson was born May 13, 1939, to Joseph Leslie and Erma Clark Shelley. She was raised along with her 7 siblings in Mountainville, Utah, a small farming community in Sanpete County. After graduating from high school, she attended Snow College, then accepted employment in Salt Lake City. It was here that she met Nile Ernest Peterson, and they were sealed in the Manti Temple on September 29, 1961.

During their married life, Nile and Julie lived in Granger, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; West Jordan, Utah; and Denver, Colorado. Julie made her family her career-loving, teaching, and providing an example of faith and righteousness to her 4 children, 16 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She also served throughout her life in many capacities in the LDS Church. She particularly loved to serve using her musical talents, most recently serving as ward organist.

In later years, Julie and Nile served two missions for the LDS Church, first as the mission couple in the Nigeria Lagos Mission where they were responsible for office administration and managing the mission finances, then as employment specialists in the Philippines Bacolod Mission, where they helped people to become self-reliant.

Julie is survived by her husband of 56 years, Nile; daughter, Connie (Gregg) Howell; son, Steve (Debby) Peterson; son, Mike (Peggy) Peterson; daughter, Amy (Brad) Toone; 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings: Louise (Mark) Nuzman, Grant (Gayle) Shelley, Bryan (Ruth Ann) Shelley, Lona (John) Hardy, and sister-in-law Shirley Shelley. She is preceded in death by one grandchild, John Scout Toone, siblings Leslie Vern Shelley, Ronald Shelley, Christine Shelley.

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 pm and again on Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 9:00-10:30 am at the West Jordan Mountain View Stake Center on 2901 West 9000 South. Funeral Services will be held at this same location on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 11:00 am.

Interment will be at West Jordan City Cemetery. In honor of Julie's memory, donations can be made to the ALS Society at alsa.org.

Published in Deseret News on Mar. 21, 2018