Henry Val Peterson

Henry Val Peterson, 85, of Tucson, Arizona passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Val’s first name Henry comes from his paternal grandfather Henry Peterson, but he was known by his middle name throughout his life.  He was born to Wallace Levi Peterson and Marvel Leial Hess Peterson on June 20, 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  He was the second of five children—all boys.

Val grew up on the family farm in Taylor, Idaho and learned the value of hard work.  As a child he experienced the transition from horse-drawn equipment to tractor and was a teenager in the 1950s. He felt that was an ideal period to grow up.

Val attended Shelley High School and married his high school sweetheart Marceil Kelley in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 14, 1957.  The newlyweds relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah where Val enrolled at the University of Utah.  He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Val moved his family to Logan, Utah to work at Utah State University as the Physical Plant Director.  Val worked at USU for twenty years and Logan is where his children called “home.”  Val was active in civic affairs and professional associations during this period and also maintained a small engineering consulting practice.

In 1988, Arizona State University recruited Val to be the Facilities Manager so he and Marceil moved to Tempe, Arizona. Val retired from ASU in 2000. He loved to travel the world with Marceil and they visited 6 of the 7 world continents.  Val was an avid photographer. His photography has been featured in magazines, won awards and been displayed in public buildings and in his family members' homes.

Val and Marceil were both active LDS Church members. From 2003 to 2005 they served  in the Maryland Baltimore Mission.  They also were temple workers in the Mesa Temple for several years.  Val held many callings in the Church including bishop, stake presidency counselor, and stake patriarch.

In 2013, as Marceil’s health started to fail, they moved to Tucson to be closer to their only son Jeff and family. Val loved the desert and warm climate.

Val and Marceil were blessed with six wonderful children—five daughters and one son.  Kelli Jo Hooker (Jerry) of Eugene, Oregon, Jodi Lyn Sandberg (Brad) of Franklin, Idaho, Lori Ann Hurst (Gary) (deceased), Jill Renee Alvord (Mark) of Riverton, Utah, Jeffrey Val Peterson (Penny) of Tucson, Arizona, and Marci Kae Peterson (Patti) of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Val lost his eternal companion and best friend Marceil in May 2019 after 61 years of marriage.  Daughter Lori passed away in 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents and all four of his brothers; Wallace Sheryl, Jesse Lynn, Martin Brent and Jon Dale. He is reunited with his beloved wife, daughter and family.

Val is survived by five of his six children, twelve grandsons, one granddaughter, three step-grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak Street in Shelley. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 A.M. till 10:45 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery, 720 E. 129 S, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast on Nalder Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

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