Dennis Oscar Peterson

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On September 2nd, 2025, the “Sweetest Salesman Around” decided it was time to return to his family, who had been waiting for him. He was welcomed by loving arms and embraced by the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father, saying, “Welcome Home, son”.

Dennis Oscar Peterson was born on June 23rd, 1944, in Amarillo, Texas, to Oscar Avery Peterson and Elsie Lenora Tolman Peterson. He was the oldest brother of Dan, Dean, and little DeWayne (the apple of his eye), as he would always state.

He was raised in Burley, Idaho, and attended Burley High School, where he graduated in 1962. His family had a pig farm and the local Peterson Purina Feed store. It was here that he gained a love for being a salesman. This would eventually put him on a career path of selling office supplies and Xerox copiers until he retired. He always had a handful of a variety of candies and suckers to share, thus giving him the nickname “Sweetest Salesman Around,” which he stuck to for many years to come.

After high school graduation, he served 2 missions for the LDS church. One was for building churches in the eastern states, and the other a proselyting one in Colorado and the surrounding states. When he returned home, he attended basic training at Fort Ord in California. During this time, his dad suddenly passed away, and Dennis returned home to help his mother and family with the Purina Feedstore. He worked with the business and decided that it wasn't the path he wanted to take, so he enrolled in the police academy and became a policeman in Hailey, Idaho. He loved sharing stories of helping to guard the famous movie stars as they landed in Sun Valley. His favorite one was always “Anne Murray.”

One Sunday, he was invited to attend church at the Heyburn ward by his mother’s sisters, Dorothy and Hazel, as they played matchmaker. He came in his usual nice Sunday suit, perfect hair, and, as we always teased him, “drenched in cologne.” Emerson native and Blackfoot Elementary teacher Carolyn Thaxton sat behind him all “googly eyed.” After the church service, they were introduced to each other, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. Although Carolyn would love to share their engagement story time and time again, because in all of our eyes, it was a classic Dennis move. Of all days to propose on, Dennis chose April 1st, 1977. He was driving them in his classic blue Chevy Silverado when he pulled over to the side of the road and pulled out the ring. She knew it wasn't an April Fool's joke because, as she stated, “Dennis was shaking in his seat and was so nervous.” Carolyn, of course, said yes, and they were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls temple on July 8th, 1977. It was only after that that they realized if they weren't so excited about setting a date, they could have been married on July 7th, 1977, making it 7-7-77. But they loved being married on the 8th anyway. They finally had their first and only child, Misty Lynn, 3 years later.

Dennis always wanted a mini me, and he did get one (daddy's little girl). He loved to give her nicknames and tease her relentlessly. We won't repeat the nicknames here. He teased her just as much as he teased all his nieces and nephews. He was the “favorite uncle amongst Dan’s and Dean’s kids.” He lost his beloved Carolyn (Caroline was her nickname after Neil Diamond’s song Sweet Caroline) on March 1st, 2008. They were married shy of their 31st wedding anniversary.

He married Paula Tracy on November 12th, 2015. He chose this day because it was his mother’s and brother Dan’s birthday. Paula was his loving companion and helped him live out the remainder of his days by traveling and staying on the Oregon coast in the summers. Dennis loved the Oregon coast. He said it was a place of peace for him. Dennis is survived by his wife Paula of Kuna, Idaho, daughter Misty Lynn (Garth) of Paul, Idaho, with his two grandchildren, Jayson and Elisabeth. His brother Dan (Diana) of Meridian, Idaho, and brother Dean (Dena) of Twin Falls, Idaho, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families, who will forever miss their beloved “favorite Uncle Dennis.” Especially his nephew, Casey of Idaho Falls. Casey is his “mini me,” and they had a special bond.  He was preceded in death by his beloved Carolyn, his parents Oscar and Elsie Peterson, and his baby brother DeWayne, who died very unexpectedly at 5 years old. He never stopped missing little DeWayne. As well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Viewing for family and friends will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Hansen Mortuary in Rupert Idaho and one hour prior to the services at the church. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Paul Stake Center with Conrad May officiating the service.  Funeral Services will conclude with burial in the Pleasantview Cemetery where he will be laid to rest by Carolyn, his parents, and DeWayne.

Till we meet again, Dad. You will be dearly missed by everyone who knew you and felt your love. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Well done. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

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