Jene Robert Petersen

Jene Robert Petersen

Former Montrose resident

Jan. 2, 1928 — March 9, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY — Former Montrose resident, Jene Robert Petersen, age 80, passed away on March 9, 2008 at the Sunrise Assisted Living in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jene "Pete" was born Jan. 2, 1928 in Salt Lake City to Franklin Bardean "Dean" Petersen and Margaret Campbell. He attended school in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. At age 17, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii. After his military service he returned to the states and attended college in Montana.

Jene married Leda Driskel in 1950 in Oklahoma, which ended in divorce.  He then married Betty Allen on Oct. 13, 1971 in Montrose, Colo. Betty preceded him in death on May 7, 1997.

Jene leaves behind four children and two step-children: Franklin Petersen and wife Meriann of White Salmon, Wash.; David Petersen and wife Kathy of Billings, Mont.; Kathi Crandall and husband Greg of Wellton, Ariz.; Cindi Loesch and husband Steve of Montrose; Nancy Allen of Salt Lake City; and Kirk Allen of Denver. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild (with another one expected any day).

Jene lived in Utah, Montana, Oklahoma, and Arizona prior to making Colorado his home. He moved to Gunnison in 1960 to work on the Blue Mesa Dam Project. He lived in government housing on property that is now under the reservoir. He moved to Montrose in 1965, when the dam was completed and the reservoir was being filled. He retired from the Bureau of Reclamation in 1983.

Jene had many interests including shooting, reloading, model railroad, camping, hunting, and traveling. Jene was an active member of the Montrose County Sheriff's Posse, the Montrose Elks and the Masonic Temple. In addition, he was a member of the Montrose Christian Church.

The family would like to thank Sunrise Assisted Living of Sandy, Utah for the loving care given to Jene this past year. Thanks go to Good Shepard Hospice for their wonderful care of Jene this past few weeks.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning,  March 15, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Montrose Christian Church. Interment with military honors will follow at Cedar Cemetery.  

Visit our Web site, sign the online register and send condolences to his family at www.sunsetmesafuneraldirectors.com.  Arrangements are being handled under the care, direction and have been entrusted to Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors, 155 Merchant Dr., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 240-9870.