Larry Dennis Petersen
Larry Dennis Petersen, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, returned home to heaven on April 10, 2024 to begin the next part of his eternal mission. He passed away at Caribou Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family after various
health complications.
Larry was born in Preston, Idaho on April 28, 1936 to Ivan Edwin and Maretta Merle Frederickson Petersen. He was the baby of the family by 10 years and joined siblings Wayne, Verl, and IvaLou “Pete.” They lived on a ranch in Stockton, Idaho where Larry learned to love a cowboy life. He loved to ride their horses bareback all over the mountains to fish and hunt with
his friends.
Larry attended elementary school in Swan Lake, Idaho through the 4th grade and then he attended school in Preston. Every winter, his mother would move with the kids to Preston so they could continue to attend school because the winters were so harsh in Stockton. He attended high school in Preston until the 10th grade when he dropped out. Eventually, Larry left Idaho to stay with his sister in the Bay Area of California where he obtained his GED through the California College System.
Larry worked in California as a car mechanic in a garage where he put his skills to good use. He had always been interested in cars and enjoyed fixing up old cars when he could. It was there that he met Sybil Henington and they were married a short time later in 1954. Together they had five children - Phil, Ed, Andy, Matt, and Heather. They also had a foster daughter, Sherrie Ann. During their marriage they moved back and forth between the Bay Area and Idaho a couple of times before settling down in Preston, Idaho. At this time Larry began working for Monsanto in Soda Springs and took over his uncle’s dry farm north of Preston. Larry and Sybil divorced in 1973.
Later that year, he met MarJean Hansen Rindlisbacher at a church dance in Cache Valley, Utah. They quickly fell in love - Larry described their relationship saying he felt they were friends before coming to this earth. On March 22, 1974 they were married and began blending their families. MarJean contributed four more children to the mix - Craig, Todd, Blake, and Jill. So together they began building a life together with their nine children. They lived in Smithfield, Utah and Larry drove to Soda Springs, Idaho to work each day for a year before they decided that the drive was too much and bought land in Soda Springs. They built a home out on the hill where they spent 41 of their 50 years of marriage before moving to a smaller house in town.
Larry loved Soda Springs and he and MarJean eventually bought more acreage by their house which allowed him to bring the other great love of his life, his Appaloosa horses, home. When he wasn’t at work or busy with kids’ activities, Larry could be found with his horses. He loved to ride his horses in the mountains and go on pack trips in the Idaho wilderness. He also had a love for shooting and hunting - especially when he got to go with his kids. Larry loved chasing their kids to wrestling tournaments, dance competitions, volleyball games, plays, and Soda Pops concerts, always with his camera in tow to document their successes.
Larry also volunteered as a member of the Caribou County Sheriff’s Posse for many years. He participated in many search and rescue missions in the area. After retiring from Monsanto in 1993, Larry went to work for the Caribou County Weed Control Department for 15 years. He enjoyed his coworkers and his association with the residents of the county.
Larry and MarJean served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Soda Springs Third Ward for many years. Larry served as a counselor in the bishopric, ward clerk, and executive secretary. Together, he and MarJean served as stake missionaries. Additionally, for five years they served as ordinance workers in the Logan Utah Temple, an assignment that they looked forward to each week.
Larry’s greatest joy as life continued on was found in his growing family. Each summer for many years, all of the kids and grandkids who could make it would gather together around the northwest for family reunions. It was the highlight of every year to have so many of his family members together at one time.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and granddaughter Ashley Petersen. He is survived by his wife, MarJean and their nine children: Phillip (Vicky) Petersen, Edwin (Sharee) Petersen, Andrew Petersen, Craig (Laura) Rindlisbacher, Todd (Radene) Rindlisbacher, Matthew (Janet) Petersen, Blake (Jodie) Rindlisbacher, Jill (Jim) Stoor and Heather (Alex) McCreary as well as his 40 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Elda Petersen, and his nieces and nephews. His family will miss him dearly, but we know that a grand reunion took place in heaven with his family there.
The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff at Enhabit and Caribou Medical Center for the care they gave Larry.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19 at 11:00 at the Soda Springs LDS Stake Center. A viewing will be held the night before from 7:00-8:00 as well as the morning before the service from 9:30-10:30. Graveside services will follow at approximately 3:00 at the Smithfield City Cemetery in
Smithfield, Utah.
