Phyllis June Peterson Yalovich

Phyllis June Peterson Yalovich

1929 – 2022

Phyllis June Peterson Yalovich passed away at her home in Pleasant Grove, UT, on February 19, 2022, from what one of her doctors jokingly termed TMB—too many birthdays. Phyllis was 92 years and 6 months old at the time of her death—just the right number of birthdays for her. Phyllis was born August 20, 1929, in Harlowton, MT, the third child of Clarence Peterson and Eitha LaDora Duncan Peterson. She joined two brothers, Walter Clarence and LaRoy Gene. The Peterson family lived in rural Silver Bow County in western Montana, but they rarely had nearby neighbors. Consequently, Phyllis and Roy were best friends (Walter died just before Christmas in 1932). There were hills for the duo to roam, creeks to jump across, and meadows that provided beautiful spring bouquets they could pick for their mother. Helping in the garden, feeding the chickens and gathering eggs, doing laundry, and so many other tasks associated with country life also kept them busy. Phyllis learned to cook, bake, sew, crochet, and manage a home under the tutelage of her mother. She excelled at her schoolwork and loved to learn. Any homework that was assigned she quickly finished at school. That left time to read whatever, whenever, and wherever she could—a pastime she enjoyed until a few weeks before her death.

In the fall of 1946 during Phyllis’ senior year of high school, she met John Yalovich on a bus during their daily commute to school in Butte, MT. John, a recently returned World War II veteran, was attending business school under the GI Bill. A bus romance ensued, enhanced by the bus driver’s decision to dim the lights once Phyllis joined John each day. They were married on October 15, 1948, at the Peterson home in Gregson. Phyllis regretted having to leave her baby sister, Joyce Ann, who had been born just five months earlier. But life means moving on, and the newly married couple moved into a tiny apartment in Butte, which was within walking distance of their jobs. In the next four years the family grew as two children, JoAnne and John Robert, were born.

In 1953 Phyllis and John moved their family to Helena, where John accepted employment with the State of Montana. Before the births of her children, Phyllis had worked full-time for a law office in Butte. Once established in Helena, she again joined the workforce. Between 1954 and 2004 she was employed primarily as a legal secretary and later as a court reporter. Many were the long nights she transcribed depositions and hearings on her IBM Selectric typewriter downstairs in her combination office/sewing room/food storage area. She also added to her hectic schedule a program through LaSalle Extension University, studying to become a lawyer and hoping ultimately to pass the state bar exam. Life had other plans for her, however, and two more children, Linda Jean and David James, joined the family in the 1960s. Being a full-time mother and full-time wage earner became enough.

Mom took mothering seriously and shared with us, her four children, many of life’s important lessons. She made sure that we were polite and respectful, that we attached great importance to our education, that we developed faith in our loving Heavenly Father. She took us to church, planned family vacations, attended parent-teacher conferences, and made our favorite birthday cakes. She and Dad not only provided piano lessons for all of us kids, but a piano to practice on and years of rides to our lessons. She made sure we learned to be hard workers at home so we could be good, dependable employees away from home. She taught us to cook, clean, do laundry, and take care of our own problems. Mom insisted we help Dad with the lawn and garden, and sometimes with his do-it-yourself projects. She provided a haven for us and our friends. Above all, she allowed us the freedom to learn, grow, and become our true selves.

Our sweet mother found many ways to express her love for her Heavenly Father. She was undaunted in her service to Him and others. Over the years as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in the Sunday School, Junior Sunday School, Mutual, and Relief Society. Totally dependable, she would arrive early and stay late. Through life’s adversities, she never ceased to trust God.

She is survived by and will always be cherished by her children: JoAnne (Don) Abel, American Fork, UT; John (Mary) Yalovich, Cut Bank, MT; and Linda (Brent) Davis, Nephi, UT. She leaves behind and is loved by five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Joyce Thompson, Mountain Home, ID; nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews. Her husband, John, died in 2005 and son, David, in 2004. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Mom’s caregivers who lovingly watched over her, met her needs, and helped her remain in the home she loved until a mansion in heaven was available for her.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 56 South 1300 West, Pleasant Grove, UT, on Friday, February 25, 2022. Visiting for friends and family will be from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., with funeral services at 11:00. Interment will be in Helena, MT, at Forestvale Cemetery.