Eileen Peterson Johnson

Eileen Peterson Johnson passed peacefully from this life on November 2, 2026, at 12:40 p.m. surrounded by her family. She was 98 years old.

Eileen was born February 21, 1928, in Milton, Morgan County, Utah, to Nels Cleveland and Edith Malan Peterson. Mom spent her younger years living her best life surrounded by doting aunts and wonderful friends. She played the piano for the school orchestra for four years, played the baritone in the high school band, and was a cheerleader. Mom graduated from Morgan High School in 1946. She was a Morgan girl through and through, often commenting on how Morgan was the promised land. Her favorite place to be was home, in Morgan.

Mom was loved and adored by all who knew her as she lived life with optimism, positivity and kindness. Eileen was the definition of enduring to the end, and she endured well. She shared her light with every person she met and was always sure to thank those who helped or served her. She gained a testimony of the gospel and a love for her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. This only got stronger as she grew older.

Growing up during the depression and war years she learned to live by the old adage, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Even though mom grew up in difficult times, she always felt blessed with what she had. Her childhood memories were happy ones filled with family and lifelong friendships.

When she was a senior at Morgan High School a dashing young man who had recently returned from the war caught her eye. They were of “The Greatest Generation.” John and Eileen had all the characteristics of a strong work ethic, patriotism, frugality, resilience, and contributions made during challenging times. They had their first date on Valentine’s Day, 1946 and were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 25, 1946.

Together, John and Eileen raised five boys: Lowell (Joyce), Paul (Chris), Greg (Kayleen), Malan (Deanne), and Ron (Leslie). Their family eventually grew to include 17 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren and including spouses, mom and dad’s posterity numbers 130.

John and Eileen always had a well-manicured yard working together to make their house a home. Mom enjoyed riding her little red lawn mower as she enjoyed caring for her lawn into her 90’s. We had to put our foot down when it came to window washing and the snowblower, but that didn’t come without a fight! Mom was independent and enjoyed life. She loved to sit on the back patio and watch her zinnias grow.

John and Eileen owned and operated the J.J. Johnson Cleaning Company for 33 years, working side by side. They worked hard and taught their boys to do the same.

Dad was well known for his baritone voice and was accompanied by mom who played the piano and organ. It was not uncommon for them to close the cleaners as they were often asked to perform at funerals in the valley. Mom kept programs of over 500 funerals that they were asked to participate in.

Over the years, mom became an excellent seamstress. She sewed on an antique treadle sewing machine that once belonged to her father-in-law who was a professional tailor. She often said she preferred the treadle machine over an electric one because she was afraid she would sew her fingers together. During her last years, she supplemented her income from clothes she was asked to alter, and she was in high demand. In 2020, when Covid hit, mom and her friend, Gwen Francis, sewed 1,125 pajama bottoms for the kids at Primary Children’s Hospital. She was also involved for many years sewing items that were sold at the Festival of Trees boutique.

Mom and dad enjoyed traveling together with friends and family in their trailer. They loved spending several weeks at a time exploring the Uintas, Washington State, Jackson Hole, and Saint George, to name a few. After dad passed away on March 2, 1994, mom kept herself busy going on vacations and church history trips with us. She traveled with us from Alaska to Israel and most places in between. Those trips and memories with her are precious.

Mom enjoyed watching a good BYU football and basketball game. Family was everything to her. The best part of her life was spent loving and supporting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren camping, playing cards, watching Hallmark movies, and attending every game, performance, program, graduation, or other important events. Mom attended everything she possibly could.

Mom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in a Primary Presidency, as a Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President, Primary Pianist, and as Ward Organist for 35 years and served a Stake Mission with dad. Mom loved her weekly outings to Ogden to attend the temple and lunch afterwards with her friends.

In 2024 she suffered a back injury and spent the last two years at The Family Tree Care Center in Morgan. She learned to love and appreciate the caregivers and residents while never complaining about her own trials and struggles and was always more concerned about those who were dealing with their own health problems. She knew the names of her caregivers and loved each of them, and they loved her.

Stalwart to the end, this elect lady entered into the loving arms of her “Sweet John” on November 2, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nels Cleveland and Edith Malan Peterson, brothers Mack and Robert Peterson, great-granddaughter Joslynn Johnson, and great-grandson Kai Johnson. Mom was the last of her cousins and looked forward to the time when she would be reunited with them.

Funeral Services

Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Rock Chapel), 10 West Young Street, Morgan, Utah 84050

An additional viewing will be held Monday, November 9, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Rock Chapel), 10 West Young Street, Morgan, Utah 84050. Funeral services will follow at the same location at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery.

We are sincerely grateful and indebted to the caregivers at The Family Tree and Quality Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of our mom, who made her last two years enjoyable and pleasant. She loved all of them and was grateful for the loving service they gave her.