Martha Lee Peterson

Lifetime resident of the Western Slope

Sept. 13, 1913 —  June 8, 2008

MONTROSE — Martha Lee Peterson, age 94, of Montrose, Colo., died at her home on Sunday afternoon, June 8, 2008.

Martha was born on Sept. 13, 1913 in Telluride, Colo. to Chester A. and Ollie (Collins) Lee. She spent her childhood and graduated from high school in Telluride, Colo.

On June 29, 1935 she married Arthur C. Peterson in Telluride, Colo. and they owned and operated Skyline Guest Ranch for 20 years. Martha also worked as a bookkeeper for her husband at Peterson’s Garage from 1936 – 1950; the two of them also built and managed the first motel in Telluride, started Skyline Jeep Tours in Telluride and later in Montrose called Tour Mountain Top Tours; then they bought the Army Surplus Store and named it the Westerner.

Arthur preceded her in death on March 1, 1996 in Mesa, Ariz.

Martha was proud of being a lifetime resident of the Western Slope of Colorado. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows in both Telluride and Montrose. She enjoyed the country so much whether she was hiking, jeeping, sking or snowshoeing.

Survivors include her niece, Lila Williams of Montrose, Joann Gaskill and her husband Harold of Montrose; cousin, Dee Collins of Montrose; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Floyd and Butch Peterson of Cortez; and numerous other cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Montrose Christian Church on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 2 p.m. The service will conclude at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO (970) 249-2121.