Winnetta Peterson Parker
Winnetta Peterson Parker, 95, beloved mom, grandma, and great-grandma passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at the Heritage Assisted Living Center, surrounded by her family.
Winnetta was born in Ovid, ID, daughter of Melvin Peterson and Arvilla Sorenson Peterson on March 9, 1929. She was raised and educated in Ovid. The family would live on the ranch down by the Bear River in the summer and would stay at their home in Ovid during the winter as it was hard to get back and forth to the ranch. She was the first born of her siblings, which meant she was responsible for helping around the house, helping in the fields when needed, and tending to her younger siblings when her mom and dad were in the fields or had to go to town for supplies. Another of her responsibilities was to help with the cooking. She was in the kitchen with her mother after school and all day during the planting and harvest season, helping to prepare the meals for the family, as well as the hired hands. This is where she grew to love being in the kitchen and cooking. This talent and skill carried forward all her life. She was always in the kitchen making bread, cookies, and hearty meals. She loved cooking for her family, as well as making meals for neighbors and friends that needed help. She later began work as a teenager at the MH King Store in Montpelier.
She met Alvin Parker in Paris, ID after he returned from World War II. They began dating and were soon married in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Oct. 27, 1952. They made their home in Paris, ID where she carpooled with a friend into Montpelier everyday to work at the MH King Store. She continued to work there after she was married, and they later bought their first home in Montpelier. There they welcomed their first three children, Lynn, Blake, and Raelene.
In 1962 after Alvin had been traveling to Soda Springs for work, they decided it wise to move the family to Soda Springs so he did not have to drive so far. She didn’t want to move to Soda, but he promised her that if she’d give it a try for a year and still didn’t like living in Soda, they would move back to Montpelier. They looked around for homes and had a choice between only two homes that were for sale. They chose the home on 280 Gagon Drive, where they welcomed their youngest two children, Ronald and Roger, and lived there for the remainder of their lives.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many different callings throughout her life. She loved serving in the primary and teaching the primary children. She also served as a ward Relief Society President and in the Stake Relief Society Presidency and many other callings. She served as a visiting teacher for many years. She loved visiting with the sisters in the ward. She was also very active in the Red Hat Society and the Birthday Club. She enjoyed getting together with the ladies, socializing, giggling, and having a good time.
Mom spent most of her time as a stay-at-home mom; however, she decided to venture out as her five children all became school age. She became an Avon Representative. She loved visiting the ladies in their homes and becoming friends. She made and cherished many friendships through this job. She sold Avon until she was 80 years old. At 80, when she learned that new technology would be required, she decided that “maybe it’s time to go back to being at home.” She missed visiting with her customers, but when it turned to technology, she just didn’t want to learn new tricks. She did however, keep many close friends that she met along the way.
She enjoyed many hobbies. She could always be found outside in her yard during the summer. She loved all of the flowers and took pride in her yard. She also enjoyed reading books. She always had a book on her end table in the living room that she was reading, and she loved to share what she was reading with anyone who would listen. But her most enjoyable talent was spending time with her family. Her family, especially her grandchildren, were her pride and joy. She was always up for the family get-togethers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Arvilla Peterson; husband Alvin Parker; sister and brother-in-law, Renee and Bill Whitehead; brother and sister-in-law, DeVearl and Louise Peterson; infant brother, Neal Peterson; brother-in-law, Ray Matthews; daughter-in-law, Dotty Parker; and granddaughter Amber Parker King.
She is survived by her four sons and one daughter; Lynn (Michelle) Parker, Fresno, CA; Blake (Connie) Parker, Soda Springs, ID; Ronald (Nicky) Parker, Soda Springs, ID; Roger (Roxie) Parker, Lewiston, ID; and Raelene (Kirk) Young, Soda Springs, ID; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; sisters Genean Matthews, Montpelier, ID, and MaryLou (Mike) Hymas, Chubbuck, ID; along with many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff at Enhabit, Dr. Housley, and Heritage Assisted Living for the wonderful care they gave mom.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Soda Springs Idaho Stake Center. A viewing was held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the funeral at 12 noon. Graveside services were at the Fairview Soda Springs Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite library or charity in Winnetta’s name.
