MONTROSE — Leda Rae (Driskell) Petersen, age 77, passed away on Friday morning, June 19, 2009, in Olathe, Colo.
Leda, the oldest of four daughters, was born to Forrest Ray and Grace Evelyn (Siegenthaler) Driskell on March 23, 1932, in Muskogee, Okla.
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Jene’s job with the Bureau of Reclamation moved them to Gunnison, Colo. in 1960 with the Blue Mesa Dam project. Leda studied geology at Western State College in Gunnison and spent many hours with her family hiking the mountains, exploring local ghost towns, fly fishing, listening to Debussy and hunting for rocks and artifacts. They lived at Moncrief Resort by Cebolla Creek along the Gunnison River until completion of the dam forced them to leave land that is now covered by Blue Mesa Reservoir.
They moved to Montrose in 1965 with the filling of the reservoir. Leda and Jene were later divorced in Montrose.
Leda’s later passions in life were gourmet cooking, genealogy, playing bridge and her family.
Leda is survived by three sisters; Edith Cavett of Wichita Falls, Texas, Wanda and husband Dearl Stout of Sulphur, Okla. and Shirley and husband Danny Pigg of Oklahoma City, Okla. She leaves behind four children: Franklin Petersen and wife Merriann of White Salmon, Wash., David Petersen and wife Kathy of Billings, Mont., Kathi Crandall and husband Greg of Montrose, Colo. and Cindi Loesch and husband Steve of Montrose, Colo. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Forest, Chas, Ryan, Sean, Ukiah, Krista, Corrie, Erik and Taryn; and two great-grandchildren, Addison and Carston.
The family would like to thank Colorow Care Center for the love and care they provided for Leda.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service for Leda’s life will take place at a future date by her family. Visit the Web site, sign the online register and send condolences to Leda’s 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.
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