2022
Grand Marshal
Ardath & Deorr Peterson
Ardath loosli Peterson was born under the stately Grand Tetons in Driggs, Idaho to Shirl and Leora Loosli. Four years later a brother Gary joined the family. She spent the first six years of her life in that area moving to Moreland Idaho where her father taught school and then to Morgan in 1939 where her parents and grandparents George and Nette Swainston operated a gas station and convenience store that was located on the Old Highway 30 North State Street 700 East on the corner in North Morgan. The old service station and store have since been demolished.
Ardath loved her school days in the elementary and High school. In high school she was involved in Student Government where she was student body Vice President, in the band and all other high school activities. She played the piccolo under Mr. J.L. Terry. Being in the band had one special perk. The band on Sunday afternoons held a concert for the patrons at Como Springs. For payment Mr. Heiner gave the band students a swimming pass to be used any day of the week except weekends and holidays so most of her summer days were spent at Como with friends swimming.
After graduating from High school she attended on year at USU In Logan. Her education was put on hold for 10 years, then she returned to USU to graduate in Home Economics. She returned to Morgan High School to spend the next very fulfilling 27 years as the Home Economics teacher. She received some very special awards while teaching but her most rewarding award was her School kids and faculty family whom she loves dearly. She and DeOrr are still involved in school activities with grandkids and one thing she is a “stickler” on keeping the High school colors maroon and white.
DeOrr Peterson was born in his grandma and grandpa George and Elizabeth Watson’s home in Ogden to Phil and Myrtle Peterson he is the oldest of 6 children. DeOrr, Marvin, Dennis, Jerry, Sharon Carrigan, Glen. They lived in Unitah for a while, then they moved to Peterson the little town named after his great great grandpa Charles Sreeve Peterson. DeOrr’s father worked for the railroad as a section man so they were able to live in a home furnished by the railroad… which was setting right along the tracks.
DeOrr’s younger years he worked for the farmers in Peterson in the hay fields, feeding animals or whatever else needed to get done. At 16 he went to work at Hill Force Base as a Fork Lift Driver. He stayed there for the rest of his working career. When he retired after 41 years he was in the Transportation Division in charge of placing Minuteman and Titan missiles in their silos.
DeOrr also enjoyed his school days. In the 6th grade he and Ardath received the American Legion Citizenship Award. In High school he was involved in student government and was the senior class president. He was always attending and supporting the school activities like plays and athletics. They both graduated in 1947. There were 35 in their graduation class which made for close knit friendship that has lasted for years.
Their dating days were very simple mostly because there was only one car per family and money was an issue they usually centered their activities mostly at Como Springs swimming, roller staking, bowling, boating on the lake and weekend dances or the Vallis Theater or at their homes playing games. DeOrr would catch the greyhound bus at the Old Bohman store in Peterson. Its first stop was the Loosli convenience store and garage. Ardath lived in the duplex next to the store, they would walk down town to the old Vallis Theater on Main Street to see the show then walk back to her place time for DeOrr to catch the 10:00 bus back to Peterson. Their favorite place to eat after a date was at Jays. It was always packed, you really couldn’t beat his hamburgers, fries and milk shakes. Hamburgers were 15 cents.
They were married in August 16, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of 5 children Christine and Dick Slate, Cheryl and Ralph Jones, Tamra and Kam Sargent, Roger and Kelee Peterson and Richard and Janae Peterson. They have 20 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. You can always see them at a football game, basketball game, or volleyball game supporting their grandkids. Like all of you, family is golden and it is what makes their world go around.
They have been very involved in community service. DeOrr was a city councilman 8 years on the City Planning and Emergency Board, School District ADHOC committee and a member of the Morgan Lions Club for 60 years. Ardath has served on the Historical Board, Scholarship Board, Culterette Service Club. Together they have served as chairman for the Morgan Red Cross, March of Dimes and Primary Children’s Pennies by the inch drives. And they make their family lunch every Wednesday for the past 30 years. And everything is homemade.
They have been faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving many callings. Together they spent 7 years as Guest Service Missionaries on Temple Square and 1 year as guest Service Missionaries in inner city Ogden 13th ward. DeOrr also spent 11 years working in the Baptistery at the Ogden Temple.
They have had many hobbies, Ardath working on family history, tole painting, making ceramic dolls, reading, playing cards, sewing or quilting, oh and watching Jazz games.
DeOrr cutting wood for the tole partners, hunting deer with his family, watching game shows. Together they enjoy riding UTV’s and camping in the Unitah’s. They especially love planning and collecting items for their traditional Christmas Polly Anna boxes.
They are so grateful that they have been able to raise their family in this beautiful valley. They love being around the great people of Morgan.