Thelma Petersen Simmonds - Obituary

Thelma Petersen Simmonds returned to her Heavenly Father on a bright winter morning, January 24, 2007. Born April 29, 1917 in Preston Idaho to Edith Hawkes and James Franklin Petersen, Thelma moved with her family to Worland, Wyoming where her father was head of the Wyoming State Experimental Farm. She lived there until her teenage years when her family moved back to Cache Valley. There she graduated from North Cache High School in 1935 and L.D.S. Business College in 1936. While living in Cornish, Utah she met Chester Simmonds who became her sweetheart and eternal husband in the Logan Temple on May 5, 1937. In 1955 her husband, a general contractor, received a call to work with the Building Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This meant leaving her home in Lewiston, Utah and moving to the Salt Lake City area where she lived throughout the rest of her life. The two were inseparable except for a brief period of time when Chester served in the Navy during World War II. Thelma served faithfully in the L.D.S. Church in many callings, receiving a 30 year pin for service in the Young Women's organization. She appreciated the simple joys of life; cooking, sewing, writing and anything musical. She loved "all creatures great and small" and took care of everyone and anything that had need of her help. Thelma was a beautiful and caring woman who nurtured many foster children, relatives and young people in need. Her gentle touch and belief in all that is good will continue to touch hearts for generations to come. She is survived by her husband Chester Simmonds; six children, Sidney, Bonnie Sue, Julie Anne, Sally, Launi and Jon; one brother, Jean C. Petersen; 31 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, three sisters and a foster son, Gordon Ross. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 at the Bountiful 16th Ward Chapel, 720 E. 550 N. Friends may call Sunday, Jan. 28 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment Logan City Cemetery.