Ortel Peterson

Virginia Ortel Peterson

August 22, 1918 ~ May 31, 2015

Ortel Peterson, 96, passed away peacefully at Emeritus Estates in Ogden. Utah. She was born on August 22, 1918 to Myrtle (Conley) Christensen and Andrew Elijah Christensen in Cokeville, Wyoming. Her mother died when she was in her early teens and she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Norma and Alphonso Christensen in Newton, Utah. She graduated from North Cache High school in 1937.

She was in nurses training at the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah when she met Clifford E. Peterson of Ogden. They were married June 17, 1938 in services in Newton, Utah. Clifford was working for his father and mother, Alma and Ezra M Peterson in the family businesses. Ortel worked at the Bon Marche in Ogden and Gibson’s in South Ogden. Cliff and Ortel operated the Starlight Drive-In Theater. Cliff and Ortel started, owned and operated the Hi Fi Shop in Ogden. They additionally started and owned Ogden’s first FM radio station, KBOC FM.

Ortel is survived by one daughter, Beverly K (Glen) Both, OFallon, MO; two sons, Kenneth E (Kelly) Peterson, Gillette, WY and Clifford L. (Sandra) Peterson, Eden, UT; 15 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.  Ortel was preceded in death by her father and mother, brother, Leon Christensen; sisters, Dorcus Chamberlin and Joan Dalton. Her husband, Clifford E. Peterson passed away in Oct. 2005.

We wish to express our appreciation to Emeritus Estates and their staff for their loving care while she lived there. We also like to give thanks to Hospice for Utah for their care and assistance during the final period of her life.

A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.  A Celebration gathering for her life will be held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.