Harry Peterlin

Matt “Harry” Peterlin, 91, of Ammon, passed away on January 17, 2021, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Harry was born November 18, 1929, in Wasta, South Dakota, to Matt Peterlin and Kathryn Schell Peterlin. When he was seven, he moved to Drummond, Idaho, and became a lifelong Idahoan. He attended Drummond grade school and Ashton secondary school, while also working on his parents’ farm. In Drummond, he worked the potato, wheat, and hay fields alongside his two step-brothers. When Harry’s younger half-brother was old enough, he was more than happy to pass on the job of cleaning out the chicken coop.

Harry knew that he wanted to explore more of the world than the fields of Drummond, and so with WWII still lingering, Harry joined the Marine Corps as soon as the recruitment office would let him. He completed boot camp in San Diego and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. Before long, Harry had been promoted to Sergeant and stationed in Japan.

After his four year enlistment with the Marine Corp, Harry came back to Idaho to work on the farm. Harry enjoyed playing sports in his spare time and it was his good fortune when one of his teammates’ sisters came to the basketball court. So it was that Harry met the woman that would hold his heart for the next 67 years.

On June 18, 1953, Harry married Nyla Jean Wilson in Ashton, Idaho. They made a home for themselves in Drummond as Harry continued working on the farm and Nyla worked in a cafe in Ashton. In 1954, the couple welcomed their only child, Lonny Kim Peterlin. By 1957, the family of three decided they had enough of the country life and Harry moved his family 50 miles south to Idaho Falls. Harry tried his hand at a few jobs before finding one that complimented the determination of his work ethic and a desire to serve his community at the Intermountain Gas Company, where he worked until he retired in 1990.

Harry believed in a hard, honest day’s work, but he also believed in giving his time and energy to community and friends. While working at the gas company, joining the local VFW and American Legion posts, and becoming a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Harry made many friends in which he would spend many years camping, attending community Veteran events, and playing softball. He loved to ride motorcycles and it wasn’t uncommon for Harry and Nyla to take a ride on a Sunday afternoon only to stop at a local cafe and have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie.

Harry also enjoyed working with his hands and making something he could share with his friends and family. He could pass an afternoon away in his “shop,” creating almost anything out of a piece of wood. His beautiful lamps continue to brighten his home, his daughter-in-law, Connie Sexton’s home, and both of his granddaughters’ homes. All of his seven great grandchildren and his one great-great grandson spent their first few months in a cradle that Grandpa made.

When Harry wasn’t in his shop, it was common to find him busying himself in his garden or adding a flowerbed under the flagpole that proudly and diligently waved both the Stars and Stripes and the Marine Corp flag 365 days a year. Harry also was no stranger to the kitchen, baking his famous sourdough “Grandpa’s Bread.”  Whether he was baking a loaf to share with a neighbor, for the church’s bake sale, or feeding the addiction of his family, Harry never hesitated to put on his apron, grab the big jar that held his secret family sourdough starter and make the house smell of freshly baked bread.

Harry also found his “voice” when he joined Hope Lutheran’s choir. Once he discovered this hidden talent, he started the tradition of serenading “Happy Birthday” to Nyla, his daughter -in-law, both granddaughters, their husbands, and each of his seven great-great grandchildren on their birthday.

After Harry retired, he had more free time to devote to his love of his country and the men and women who serve it. Although of course, Harry would insist that all other military branches paled in comparison to the Marine Corps, his respect for all who have served was evident. From the Marine Corps Hymn ringtone on his phone, to the last sticker on his blue truck, the selfless service to country was for him always as a source of pride. Harry became a regular at the 2156 VFW Post where he served as Commander for a year. Harry particularly took pride in being a part of the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team where in the winter he would don as many layers of warm clothes as necessary to carry the flag to as many services as he was able. He felt privileged to help the families of departed Veterans celebrate a life of service by providing Military rites of honor.  Harry’s patriotic spirit and consistent dedication to his community earned him many recognitions, including the Melaleuca’s Veteran of the Year Award, being named the 2016 Post 56 Legionnaire of the Year Award, the recipient of the All Fifth Grade Patriots Day Award, and being honored as the Firth High School Distinguished Veteran Award.

Most people who were fortunate enough to know Harry understood that they would have to carry most of the conversation because of his quiet demeanor, but they also knew that he could be counted upon for a piece of wisdom to share or a witty comment to make at just the right time. They could also remark that although he was a tough old Marine, he had a gentle soul that knew how to listen, how to show love, and when you could get it, a smile that would fill your heart. Whether you were a cherished wife, a fortunate daughter-in-law, a friend of his late son, Kim, a coffee buddy, a colleague, a camping buddy, a granddaughter, a fellow church member, a great grandchild, a neighbor, a fellow Veteran, a student listening on Veteran’s Day, or a stranger in a Military uniform, Harry touched many lives in his 91 years, and in return, earned the respect of family and friends and community alike.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2071 East 12th Street. The family will visit with friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior. Burial will follow at Fielding Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Harry requested donations to any charity of your choosing (for example the VFW, American Legion, or Hope Lutheran Church and School).