Sue Peterson

Our amazing mom, Sue (Marilyn) Peterson, 80, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away Thursday, September 6, 2018, peacefully at Eastern Idaho Regional Center, with us by her side, and Rhonda in heaven to meet her. Mom was born to the late Julian "Pete" and Thelma Miller on December 18, 1937, in Borger, Texas. She grew up in Sanford, Texas, where she was the middle child. Mom spent her childhood roaming the canyons in and around Sanford with Aunt Shirley, Uncle Mickey and the countless cousins that also called Sanford home. They liked to hang out with the "bums" who passed through Sanford, and on at least one occasion invited one of the drifters to come to their home. She liked to roller skate, play kick the can, and of course the Friday night lights in Phillips that sets Texas apart from the rest of America. In 1956, while working at Barney's Pharmacy in Borger, Texas, our mom met Jerrel Russum. After a year-long courtship they were married on July 5, 1957. In 1958, they welcomed their first daughter, Rhonda. Two years later their second child, Kim, arrived, and in 1962, our dad got his wish with the birth of their "tomboy," Julie. We relocated to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in the fall of 1962. Mom was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom and housewife. In 1966, she went to work at the Bartlesville Pharmacy where she met her lifelong friend, Patti Casell. In 1969, we moved to Idaho where mom worked for the Idaho National Lab until she retired in 1995. She remained close friends with many of her co-workers. On February 26, 1979, our mom's title changed to Grandma Sue with the birth of her first grandchild, Nicholas Joe Dennis. Mom loved being a grandma. She enjoyed sharing her favorite pastimes: road-trips, fishing, sports, camping, and music with her grandchildren. On June 10, 2007, her title changed once again to GG with the birth of her first great-grandchild, Kaylee Renee West. Mom's greatest adventure was about to begin. She loved nothing more than spending time with her great-grandkids: overnight stays, traveling, and introducing them to her love of sports and the Dallas Cowboys. Being GG was a title that she wore with grace. Not to be overlooked was her passion for traveling. Her favorite vacation spot was Maui! Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Thelma Miller of Idaho Falls, ID; her brother, Michael "Mickey" Miller of Bartlesville, OK; her daughter, (our sister), Rhonda Diane Russum of Idaho Falls, ID; and the love of her life, our dad, Jerrel Russum of Idaho Falls, ID. Mom is survived by her daughters, Kim Russum Fredrickson of Idaho Falls, ID and Julie (Nolan) Lee of Idaho Falls, ID; her sister, Shirley Ann Copeland of Idaho Falls, ID; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Dennis of Idaho Falls, ID, Brittne Russum (Geoff Stubbs) of Idaho Falls, ID, Chris (Jennifer) Fredrickson of Fairfield, ID, Dustin Dennis (Brittney Daniels) of Rigby, ID, Ashley (Tyler) West of Colorado Springs, CO, Tailer Robinson of Idaho Falls, ID, Jeffrey Fredrickson of Idaho Falls, ID; and step grandchildren, Jordan and Bridget Lee of Idaho Falls, ID; in addition to thirteen great-grandchildren, Naomi, Kaylee, Makena, Korbin, Remington, Austin, Jaxson, Whitne, Trenity, Greyson, Kinzly, Aayden, and Stetzen. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 14, 2018, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with Pastor Ty Orr of Watersprings Church officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will follow at Freeman Park, Shelter Two. Graveside services will be held in Fritch, Texas, Saturday, October 6th at Westlawn Memorial Park.

Memorial Services will be held

2:00 PM ,Friday, September 14, 2018 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends Friday from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services.

Graveside Services will be held

Saturday, October 6, 2018 Westlawn Memorial Park 8547 Highway 136 Fritch, TX 79036