Derrall C. Petersen

HYRUM, UTAH - Derrall Courtney Petersen Our loving and much respected husband, father, & grandfather passed away Nov 18 at his home in Hyrum after courageously enduring Colon & Pancreatic cancer for 6 1/2 years. He was born Feb 4, 1930 to parents Leora Nielsen and Eugene Petersen and was raised in Hyrum. Derrall graduated from South Cache High school. He attended Utah State Univ., majoring in geology. Derrall served in the Korean War. He married Karen Hawkins in 1955 in Logan; the marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple.
Derrall and Karen lived in Quincy Washington for 2 1/2 years and then returned to Hyrum where they have lived ever since. Derrall has been owner and operator of Monument Mtn. Ranch for many years. He was recognized as Outstanding Farmer in Box Elder County. ;He was employed for 25 years at Thiokol. He served as President of G&G Corp.
Derrall took a lot of pride in his ranch and enjoyed the opportunity to teach his four sons good work ethics. He recently developed a stock water system which will greatly enhance the property. This project was years in the process, with final completion by employees Monday evening, only hours before Derrall passed away.
Derrall's passing will leave a vacuum for his knowledge and advice for family, friends and associates.
He owned property at Left Hand Fork in Blacksmith Fork Canyon and enjoyed maintaining and improving the area, fighting gophers and establishing a camping and recreation area; which has been enjoyed by family and friends.
He was a faithful member of the LDS church. He had a strong testimony of the Gospel.
He was responsible in his callings to serve, serving in the Sunday School Presidency, Activities Committee, and High Priests.
He enjoyed associating with friends and co-workers. He loved spending winter months in Palm Springs Calif., trips to Tucson, and especially enjoyed visiting grandchildren. His hobbies were hunting for arrowheads, fossils, studying astronomy, and jewelry making.
Derrall is survived by his wife Karen of 53 years, his four sons Corey (Kathy) , Mike (Ida), Jeff, Chris (Oana). Fifteen Grandchildren & three great grandchildren: Grandchildren are:
Justin (Kenzee), Jodi (Rich) Sorenson. Daren, Brandon, Evan, Dylan, Benjamin, Daniel, Tyson (Helms), Paige, Maggie, Conner, Courtney, Brett & Nick Ostler. He is survived by Sister Delone (Wes) Bailey of Alamo, Calif. Brother Dennis (Kaye) St.George Ut, Sisters-in-law Bara (Jay) Petersen, and Betty (Doyle) Hawkins and numerous nieces and nephews who have played
an important role in Derrall's life.
He was preceded in death by his mother Leora Nielsen, father Eugene, brother Jay, sister Rhea & bro.-in law Al Lundahl, sister Ruth & bro-in-law Douglas Borlase, two brother-in-laws Doyle, and Gale Hawkins.
Derrall's family wish to acknowledge Andy Lee for his many years of employment and friendship.
The family wishes to extend appreciation to Dr. Elizabeth Prystas, Dr. Leslee Ingersoll, Dr. Jeffrey Strong & Intermountain Hospice of Cache Valley for their loving expertise and care.
Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Nov 24, 2008 in the Hyrum 7th Ward chapel, 245 N. Apple Dr. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan, and from 10:30 to 11 :30 a.m. Monday at the ward. Interment will be in Hyrum City Cemetery. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .