Connie Crista Peterson (Nielsen) passed away early in the morning of September 26th, 2024 in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Born on January 13th, 1954 to Preben and Ruth (Hansen) Nielsen in Murray, Utah and growing up later in Holliday, Utah with her older sister Heidi, and younger brother Peter. Raised on strong Danish traditions she enjoyed the culture and foods that it offered her. Traveling many times with family and friends to Denmark and Germany, she always had a story to tell about her adventures abroad. These traditions, culture, and love for Denmark were always part of her life and were taught to her children who carry on that history today.
She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with a strong testimony of an eternal family. She fulfilled many callings from Primary Teacher, Sunday School Teacher for the youth, and in the Relief Society as a Visiting Teacher supervisor. She even worked in the Church Family History Vault deep inside Little Cottonwood canyon where she helped catalog countless genealogical records. Also working at ZCMI in the Cottonwood Mall in their linens department. She would beautifully arrange their displays every day, only for old women to come in and take them down throughout the day.
Her education consisted of many elementary schools, without even really moving from her home in Holliday. Graduating from Skyline High School in 1972 she took classes in home economics, and sewing. Often speaking out to her teachers on how she was taught how to do things differently at home, and that is how she is going to do it. This independent spirit carried on with her, her entire life. That strong spirit is what attracted her husband to her, and is carried on today with her children. Most notably though, is her kind spirit that brought out and saw the good in everyone that she met. That is what earned her the nickname of Sunshine, for all of the sunshine she brought to people's lives. When you see a wild sunflower, that will be her saying hello.
Connie met her husband Charles "Kirk" in 1973 through a mutual friend and started a 9 year courtship that led to a weeklong engagement in August of 1982. Thus starting her greatest dreams and proudest achievement of being a mom. Having 5 kids Barret, Carlee, Patrick, Jared, Ethan and two "bonus" kids from Charles' previous marriage Tami, and Todd. Connie and Charles were sealed together for Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in August of 2016.
Connie is survived by her children Barret K. Peterson, Carlee R. Peterson (Paul Gruendell), Jared Q. Peterson, and Ethan H. Peterson. Bonus children Tami McMahan. Grandchildren Nathan Peterson, Aubrey Peterson (Jacob Cox), Cameron Kipp, and Parker Kipp. Many Great grandchildren too. Her father Preben Nielsen. Siblings Heidi Flegal (Ed Flegal) and Peter Nielsen (Lisa Nielsen).
Preceded in death by her husband Charles K. Peterson. Son Patrick N. Peterson. Bonus son Todd P. Peterson. Mother Ruth Nielsen.
Connie's funeral will be held on October 5th, 2024 at the Pioneer Stake Center on 1401 West 700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104. Viewing will start at 10:00 am with the funeral at 11:00 am. She will be buried at Elysian Gardens at 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah 84117
The family would also like to thank the staff at Rocky Mountain Personal Care for all of their help and love they supplied for her.