On Thursday, June 27, 2024, Charlene Benson Petersen successfully completed her life’s journey surrounded by her loved ones at home. This was the fulfillment of her desire to pass away during times of warm weather.
Charlene was born March 28, 1930, in Honeyville, Utah to Ezra Peter and Varenna Collins Hunsaker Benson. She was the youngest of five children. Her siblings were Maida, Lamar, Nolan, and Darel. She was born with a beautiful singing voice and had a love for music throughout her life. She had the ability to make many friends. During and following her high school years, she helped form a girls’ trio who sang in many locations throughout northern Utah such as school and church programs, funeral and wedding programs, community events, and on the radio. She attended schools in Honeyville and Brigham City and was a student and graduate of Box Elder High School in 1948. She went on to attend college in Logan for a year and sang in the Utah State Agricultural College Choir.
In 1952, she was introduced to a strong farm boy from Thatcher, Utah named JDell Petersen. His talents included playing the guitar and singing. That became the spark for them singing together on many occasions while JDell accompanied them on the guitar. They were married on May 28, 1953, in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and settled in Thatcher, Utah, where they worked on the farm as they started their married lives together. To this union were born four sons: Brian, Brad, Shane, and Steve. The family lived in Thatcher and owned and leased many fields where they raised many crops such as sugar beets, corn, alfalfa, beans, as well as wheat, barley, and tomatoes.
In the late 1980’s, JDell and Charlene fulfilled a great dream they had of building a home in Silver Reef (Leeds), Utah after they sold the farm and retired from farming. In that beautiful and picturesque location they lived periodically for almost twenty years.
Charlene was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who faithfully served in many positions including ward chorister, Relief Society and primary pianist, ward roadshow director, and ward Relief Society President. She also was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She and her husband JDell also served as membership missionaries for the church during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s while they were in the St. George area.
Charlene had developed the art of Gregg shorthand and secretarial skills during her college training. She worked in several banks throughout her working years as a bank secretary in both Brigham City and Tremonton, and worked for local businessman Jay Dee Harris. Her many talents blossomed throughout her life. Her love of crocheting led her to create many beautiful blankets, hotpads, and many other unique and beautiful things. She loved to socialize and make friends throughout her life. Charlene was talented in writing poetry and many of her poems were written in tribute to individual family and friends she made throughout her life. A collection of her poetry was combined into a volume called “Poetry by Char” and has become an heirloom for both family and friends.
Charlene’s most prized gifts were her children and their spouses, as well as the many sweet grandchildren and great - grandchildren. Her grandchildren number sixteen and her great-grandchildren number forty - three.
Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, JDell, as well as her parents, her siblings, and one great - grandson, Stetson Petersen. She is survived by her four sons and their spouses - Brian (Carol), Brad (Connie), Shane (Lori), of Thatcher, Utah and Steve (Jill) of Warrenton, Virginia.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful Rocky Mountain Hospice nurses and health care professionals who demonstrated such love, warmth, and compassionate care as well as friendship to our mother over the past several months. Deserving special thanks are Katie, Maddie, and Wendy. They meant the world to our mother.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held preceding the funeral from 9-10:30 a.m. All services will be held at the Thatcher - Penrose LDS Church building (11475 W 10400 N Thatcher, Utah). Following the services, interment will take place at the Bothwell Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.
