ST. GEORGE, UT<! > - Niels Marcus Peterson passed away peacefully in his home December 1, 2000.
He was the son of Niels Peter and Au-gusta Johnson Peter-son. He was born March 28, 1911, in Richfield, UT. He grad-uated from Richfield High School as a Valedictorian. He graduated from the University of Utah with five majors. He re-ceived his masters degree from the U. He spent three years in South America on a mission for the LDS Church.
Marcus went to the University of Oregon and the University of Washington while working on his doctorate and became a Reliability Engineer.
Marcus retired as a full Colonel giving 45 years of service to his country. He taught in the math department at the U of U, Columbia University in New York, and he spent five years as an instructor at West Point Military Academy. He was an advisor there for several years. He was also an advisor at the Pentagon.
Marcus and his wife Irene had three missions together. The last was at the Dominican Republic. Marcus signed off the 2nd phase to landing on the moon and only missed target by 1 mile. He worked on the 1st computer in Fort Worth, TX, it was one mile long. He was employed by General Dynamic and Boeing.
He has always been active in the LDS Church. He was the 1st Bishop in Forth Worth, TX. He served on the High Council in Dallas, TX.
Marcus has spent 64 years working in genealogy. Right after their marriage he took Irene looking for family members. He spoke five languages and was the specialist in St. George on Scandinavian genealogy. He always said, "I'm the last leaf on the tree. It is winter and cold. Time to go home!"
Marcus also had a deep love for music. He had 12 piano lessons a the age of 10. He was asked to organize and teach band the fist year of teaching. He brought a different instrument home every two weeks and what a band he had, always amazing everyone including the faculty.
Marcus was on of the best choristers around. People in the congregation loved singing hymns when he directed. This was a special gift he had.
He married Irene Bastian Sept 1936, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They have six children: Ronald Miguel Peterson, Tucson, AZ; Karen Irene Peterson Moyle; Linda Jeanne Peterson Powell, both of Salt Lake City; Marcia Lynne Peterson Harward, Fountain Valley, CA; Mark B. Peterson, Loomis, CA; David Alma Peterson, Visalia, CA; Marcus and Irene have 30 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Thurs, Dec 7, 2000, 11 a.m. in the Sigurd LDS Ward Chapel. A private family viewing will be held prior to the services. Burial will be with military rites by V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050 in the Vermillion Cemetery. Funeral directors, Neal S. Magleby & Sons Mortuary, Richfield, UT.