JoAnne Peterson Bradford September 30, 1942 - June 29, 2021

On June 29th, 2021, JoAnne Peterson Bradford, the best spouse, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, you could ever ask for, passed away and returned to our Heavenly Father’s home. She truly magnified her life by being someone who was always thoughtful, friendly and loving to everyone around her.

JoAnne was born on September 30th, 1942 to Clinton Jay and Elva Jensen Peterson in Payson, Utah. Growing up she was a loving sister to her younger brothers whom she played with and cared for often. Pictures of her reflect happy smiles that show the deep bonds of friendship, love and affection she had for everyone around her. She loved animals, boating, water skiing, camping, playing the accordion and learning new things.

She graduated from Payson High School in 1960. She married her sweetheart, Leon A. Bradford of Spanish Fork, later that year. As this wonderful family came together she put unwavering love to work into caring for her family. She supported her husband in serving a full military career, with combat tours, until his retirement in 1978. After his military service, she supported her husband in working as a field helicopter pilot while she took care of their family. She supported her boys Jeff, Scott and Lee through many years of avid rodeo participation which required her to pack, cook, clean and travel long distances to support their dreams. There were innumerable camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling trips that were made into beautiful memories because of her efforts. She was the loving bond and peacemaker that made ours a happy home. Even though her family was very active she always made time to keep in contact with dear friends and relatives. She was driven to send birthday cards, money and notes to almost everyone she knew. Over the course of her life, she worked numerous jobs to support her family.

She enjoyed the outdoors, bowling and playing the organ. She was an avid Utah Jazz fan who rarely missed a game. She loved going to Wendover and Mesquite with her friends. She danced with the dancing group, Jeanie’s Golden Girls, at many Utah Jazz halftime shows and other events. She was an active member of the Lady Elks, #711 Eureka lodge who held President and other service positions. She was an active member of the American Legion, thru which, she participated in many charitable events. She was an active member of Santaquin’s Seniors Center and loved to play cards. She helped provide loving, end of life, care for many family members which spanned almost a decade of love and service. She was an active, LDS, member that loved serving others. She always took time to hear you. Her home, on the east frontage road of I-15 in Santaquin, was adorned with American flags, wind socks, and such, so that, most folks knew where she lived when you described it. She was very patriotic and always wore some type of jewelry, which honored America, on her clothing. She loved her friends at Seasons of Santaquin where she lived for the last few years.

She is survived by her son’s Jeff (Karen), Scott, daughter-in-law DeAnn, brother’s Louis Peterson (Barbara) and Jack Peterson (Diana), brothers and sister-in-law Paul Olsen, Bill and Joyce Bradford, 23 grandkids (including SO’s), 26 great-grandkids and many other friends/extended relatives.

She was proceeded in death by her parents (and in-laws), her brother Gary, her husband, her son Leon Wendell Bradford and her sister-in-law JaneAnne Olsen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 10th at 11am at Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main, Spanish Fork, Utah. A viewing will be available from 9:45 to 10:45am, at the same address, prior to the funeral services. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. If you can’t make it the funeral service can be viewed by following the link