Cover photo for Iris (Graves)  Petersen's Obituary
1950 Iris 2020

Iris (Graves) Petersen

August 6, 1950 — September 8, 2020

August 1950 - September 2020
Springville, Utah
Our family lost one of the brightest lights in our lives and now she is truly our shining star.
Iris was born in August 1950 in Price, Utah to Jack and Barbara Graves.  She was the second child and first daughter of five children.  Jack Jr. and Iris were born 14 months apart and by all accounts, family stories and recounted by Iris herself, she was usually the instigator in their shenanigans and was fearless!  When Dan and Ed were born and the family grew, it is fair to say that mom and dad had their hands full.  The four of them were all the things that siblings are to one another but also friends.  Bonnie was the straggler, born when all the others were older.  Iris became not only a sister and babysitter; she was her second mom and strong mentor.  Together, they were each other’s best friends for eternity.  Iris was the glue that binded the five of us together.
When the four children were young, Jack and Barbara built a home and settled in Springville, Utah.  Iris graduated from Springville High School…The home of the “Mighty Red Devils”… in 1968.  And she made Springville her home for life.
Her world lit up when she met and married Gene Petersen, her soul mate and life partner in May 1976.  Gene was a long-haul truck driver for years, working long hours and millions of miles to care for and support his family.  Iris took care of life on the home front, raising Lesli, active in headstart and PTA.
Their daughter Lesli was the light of their lives.  Having lost their son David when he was only 14 months old, their world revolved around Lesli.  She loved to go trucking with her dad and was his constant shadow when he was home.  The connection they shared for the rest of her life was unbreakable.  Lesli and Iris formed not only a traditional mother - daughter relationship but also a bond of trust and friendship that lasted a lifetime and beyond.  She was at their home everyday and was always the first one there when family and friends gathered.  After she married Shane Morgan, they were still a constant presence, moving to their own home only a short distance away.  When Lesli passed suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 32 years young, her spirit remained ever present in their home.
Iris and Gene’s home was their heaven and haven not only for them but also the gathering place for family.  We spent countless hours simply enjoying all of our family and friends around the kitchen table.  It rang with laughter and glowed with unconditional love.  The nieces and nephews adored their Aunt Iris and Uncle Gene.  As a very close knit family, we all celebrated and we grieved, as families do, all the while, Iris and Gene’s door was open, welcome and loving.
Iris spent many years working at State Farm Insurance Company.  They hated to see her leave but after they both retired, Iris and Gene explored, they traveled, and simply rejoiced in their freedom to roam and share adventures - always returning to home base…Springville.
Iris will forever be remembered for her big, beautiful, sparkling, brown eyes and her laughter.  She loved to laugh until her sides hurt and tears rolled down her cheeks.  She was an avid bowler and was a part of many leagues through the years.  She collected antiques and spent many hours haunting thrift stores and yard sales in search of treasures.
They were home in Springville when Iris slipped away peacefully in her sleep with Gene by her side.
She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Lesli Lynn Morgan, son David, brother Dan, as well as many other family members and friends.  The reunion was amazing, no doubt.
She is survived by her husband Gene, brothers Jack Graves and Ed (Robin) Graves, sisters Karen (Bruce) Collins and Bonnie Graves Grant, many nieces, nephews, loved ones, chosen family and countless friends.
There will be no services.
Please in lieu of flowers, donate to Primary Children’s Hospital at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/primary-childrens/give/
To send flowers to the family in memory of Iris (Graves) Petersen, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

No services to be held

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 14

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Send a Card

Send a Card