Viona Peterson Speth

Viona Peterson Speth left this earthly home on December 21,2023 where she was reunited with her husband after spending 16 long lonely years alone.  She was 97 years old.

She was born in a small home on Crockett Avenue to Victor Emanuel Peterson and Anna Zbinden Peterson on January 28, 1926. She had two brothers and a sister to welcome her.  She attended Logan Schools and graduated from Logan High School in 1944.  At the time, the Second World War was on and she went to work for the telephone company. 

It was at an M Men and Gleaner Banquet that she met Mervyn LaMonte Speth who had returned from the war. They were drawn to each other – it was like they had met before.  They dated for six weeks and then were engaged.  They were married on November 1, 1946 in the new Idaho Falls Temple.

The couple was blessed with two children: Pamela and Ray.  Mervyn served as PMS&T at Logan High School.  He had many military friends in Logan and they encouraged him to return to the Army.  He reenlisted and was sent to Fort Ord, California.  They had two more moves to Texas and to North Carolina when he received his orders for Korea.  With lots of prayers, he came home safely after eighteen months.

Viona and her two children came home to Logan and lived with her parents.  The church had sent the pump organ to a church in Hawaii and they had a new electric organ.  While her children were napping, she went to the church to play the organ.  She taught herself to play the foot pedals and playing gave her a lot of peace and comfort.

After Merv returned from Korea, they were sent to Alabama and then to Fort Benning, Georgia.  After another year Merv decided this wasn’t the kind of life he wanted for his children so he resigned his commission and they came back to Logan, where they were blessed with three more children: Larry, LeAnn and Terry.

She was very active in the church.  She served in every music position in the church and had several chorister jobs.  She led the Relief Society chorus for seven years. She served as President of Young Women in her ward and was in the Relief Society Presidency and on the Primary Stake Board twice.

Merv and Viona served a mission in England at the London Temple.  Merv served as 1^st Counselor in the Temple Presidency and Viona served as Assistant Matron.  This was the best two years of their life. They also served in the Logan Temple for many years.  One of her favorite memories was her trip  to Israel, Egypt and Greece with her sister Shirley Mae.

In their later years they took tennis lessons. They started spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona where they played on the tennis team and played until they were nearly 80 years old.

Viona is survived by her five children: Pamela Kendrick, Wellsville; Ray (Debora) Speth, Arizona; Larry (Maxine) Speth, Logan; LeAnn Lundberg, Brigham City; Terry (Cheri) Speth, Arizona.  She had 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m at the Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center St, Logan, Ut. with a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the mortuary.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Maple Springs in North Logan for their wonderful help, support and loving care that was given to Viona for the 15 months she was there.

The funeral will be livestreamed and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FUNERAL LIVE

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