Eloise Hayden

Eloise Peterson Hayden, our beautiful mother, sister to the “Fisher girls”, wife, and sweet friend of many, passed peacefully at the age of 92 on March 13, 2013. Aunt Weese was the essence of grace: always offering a cheerful bright smile, sunny disposition and humorous approach to life. God now certainly holds this beautiful woman tenderly in loving arms. Heartfelt thanks to the care takers at Lily and Syringa, for the gentle attention during the twilight of her life. Eloise was born November 21, 1920 to Martha and Bert Fisher of Annis, Idaho. She shared a rural upbringing with seven sisters at “the Little Butte Ranch”. It was a blessing being one of the cousins, with all the aunts raising us in the kindest of spirit. The Fisher girls are; Glenda Allgood, Wilma Deland, Eloise Peterson Hayden, Gae Nell Holland, DeOnne Fisher, Martha Brown, and Marlene Cooper. Melva Mae Serle was like a sister to them. Bert, the youngest and only brother was lost to illness in infancy. She graduated from Midway High School and moved to Salt Lake City where she met Thurman Peterson at a dance. It wasn’t long until they were married, WWII broke out, Thurm joined the Navy and the whole current of life took over. They had four children; Steve “Skip” (Maria) Peterson of Sacramento, CA, Jana (Kelly) Bateman of Boise, ID, Torry (Rita) Peterson of Idaho Falls, ID, and Reji Peterson of Portland, OR., six grandchildren, Rod, Nick, Ryan, Slade, Autumn, Chance, ten great-grandchildren, Taylor, Rochelle, Marissa, Nick, Dakota, Tyler, Keegan, Gage, Crimson, and Troy, and yes, one great great grandchild, Brody. Eloise, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lived in Rigby, Idaho Falls, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Generous with her time, was voted “Girl of the Year” twice by the Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a charitable sorority. She had focus in fund raising for the Idaho Crippled Children, bike-a-thons, rummage sales, and “shake downs” of bankers to buy cases of candy: contributed to a worthy cause year after year. She was a glamour girl but still embraced the outdoors exploring Yellowstone, camping out, and fishing. Her home was always wonderfully decorated and she loved all shades of pink. She taught us the meaning of a female role model. She later married Mitchell “Bud” Hayden from Salt Lake. Bud passed recently. Mom you are the queen bee, the matriarch, and the love guiding our lives. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Burial will be at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel.