Josephine Pagano Allred Peterson

 

~~~~~~~~

DeeAnn Peterson Lubbers ~~~ A Friend To All

DeeAnn Peterson Lubbers


10/28/1939 ~ 10/17/2020


DeeAnn was born in Salt Lake City and raised in Mt. Pleasant, Utah by her parents Josephine Pagano Peterson and Bert Edwin Peterson. She followed her mother’s profession as an educator, teaching elementary students for 30+ years with a special emphasis on reading. Like her father, she loved the country life and maintained her childhood home, returning often.

DeeAnn graduated from North Sanpete High School, Class of 1957, and valued lifelong friendships with her classmates. Following high school and through her college years she worked summers at Zion National Park, a sanctuary she loved throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1961 and began her dreams to travel the world. In the summer of 1962, some 17 short years from the end of WWII, she set sail, traveling alone, from Los Angeles to Japan where she lived as an exchange student with a family in Nagano, creating a lifelong bond. That family would visit DeeAnn’s family in Tucson, AZ in the late 1970s, teaching her young sons at an early age to love, value and appreciate all of God’s children the world over. She would go on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Early Childhood Development and a certificate in Gerontology. As a lifelong learner, in her retirement years she enrolled in the Institute of Continual Learning at Dixie State University and took classes of all varieties for many years.

In 1963 she married W. Boyd Dover and had two sons; W. Brent Dover (Catherine) and Bert Travis Dover (Gena). After a divorce, DeeAnn had the good fortune to meet and marry Earl R. Lubbers in Tucson, Arizona in 1973. Earl became the “father he didn’t have to be” to Brent and Bert. They added their son Ryan Earl Lubbers (Raquel) and have eleven wonderful grandchildren who were her “jewels in the crown of old age.”

Earl and DeeAnn loved one another deeply, and found a shared sense of adventure in finding opportunities for travel throughout America and much of the world, including missionary pick-ups in Finland/Russia and Brazil. They twice participated in the China Teacher Program for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, living and teaching English and American Culture to students in Qingdao and Xi’An China for a total of two years. DeeAnn always had a very strong commitment to learn about her pioneer and immigrant heritage which involved traveling several times to Sweden and Italy to meet many relatives and obtain genealogy records. In 2011, she had a marvelous experience of guiding and teaching her three sons of their Swedish and Italian roots. DeeAnn and Earl also served their church in a variety of callings including Scouting, teaching, and service in the Tucson, Arizona Mission.

Upon retirement and having lived the majority of their adult lives in Arizona, Earl and DeeAnn moved to St. George, Utah and welcomed friends and family from many countries and states into their home. They especially enjoyed having extended family from Europe come to visit and see where their ancestors settled when they came to America in the 1860s, and former students from China visit for long stays, experiencing “American life” with her entire family, and visiting the National Parks.

With strong roots, fearless wings, and imaginative dreams, she had a wonderful life!
DeeAnn is preceded in death by her parents and half sister Bonnie Peterson Jefferies.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the LDS missionary fund, or the Mt. Pleasant public library.
A Graveside service was held Saturday October 24, 2020 at 12:00 noon in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery with a viewing prior at 11:45 at the cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com

MT. PLEASANT PIONEER DAY, MARCH 25, 2017

Crowd at the Celebration



Theme:  The Sheep Industry 

Approximately 275 people attended this year's celebration.  Everyone enjoyed the festivities.  The weather was a little damp, but the atmosphere inside was warm and welcoming.  Fried chicken strips with rolls, jelly, potato salad, chips, oreos and ice cream were served.  Our president, Dale Peel had been pushing for fried mutton, but our beloved Diane Lund, who has prepared the lunch for many years, won the debate.  

Wanda Stewart

Wanda Stewart took the honors for being the oldest woman in attendance.  I arrived late and did not hear how old she is.  

Mac Wilkey (oldest man) with President Dale Peel

We were honored to have Mac sit at our table and as he stood when asked if there were anyone over 86, Mac said "Surely I am not the oldest man here".  Sure enough, he did get the prize.  We think there were other men older than Mac who wouldn't stand up.  Then when he sat down, he said "Boy am I gonna get teased by my kids."  Peter said, "Yes, now we can call you Methusalah".  

Kevin Anderson, Gary Arnoldsen and Larry Seely furnished the musical program with songs about Sanpete, Fairview Canyon, and Sheep Herding.  Some were written by themselves.  They did a wonderful job.  (I took a poor picture)

Judith Daniels Jackson has headed up the quilt committee for several years and tickets were sold for this quilt.  It turned out beautiful.  The winning ticket was someone from Fairview.

The photos on the quilt all had to do with the sheep industry.  Sheep, sheep dogs, and sheep camps. A real treasure.  

Dale took around the microphone and encouraged everyone who had special memories to share them.  There were several fun stories told.

Gloria Daniels read a poem written by one of her relatives.

Paul Sorensen told of his great grandfather Millar the Sheep Dog trainer from Scotland.  His story has been posted here a few weeks ago.

Minutes were read.

Then Dale had asked Deann Peterson Lubbers, Steve Monsen and Charlie McKay to each share some of their memories on stage.  

The festivities ran long and many were ready to go home. 

Both the south wall and west wall of the recreation hall were lined up with artifacts, albums, pictures and more for everyone to see.  

The Relic Home and Blackshop were open for visitors as well.  

There were a few sheep camps on display in the parking lot.

SUCCESSFUL DAY

One to Remember for many years to come.