Idaho State Journal, 09/24/06
ST. CHARLES, Idaho -- The Peterson family lost their beloved matriarch and the community lost a true Bear Laker when Arline Holmes Peterson died a little shy of 90 years old on September 22, 2006, at the Bingham Extended Care Facility in Blackfoot of causes incident to age.
Arline was born October 29, 1916, to Oliver Wendell and Isabelle Janette Hall Holmes in Bennington, Idaho. She spent her entire life, save an occasional few months, in Bear Lake, growing up in Montpelier and Bennington, and living in St. Charles after she was married.
Arline was a Mormon girl, through and through, striving to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving in a variety callings. They included Stake MIA, Stake Primary, Ward Choir, Primary, Sunday School, Girls Camp director, and many others.
Arline graduated from Montpelier High School and attended beauty school in Salt Lake City. With that degree, she found a job as a beautician in Montpelier.
Arline married Oren (Friday) Peterson on March 2, 1939, in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their home in St. Charles so that Oren could continue working the family farm. Arline continued to work at the beauty shop in Montpelier.
Oren and Arline were blessed with three sons, Ronald Oren, Bruce Richard, and Scott Wade Peterson. Arline taught them to live good lives and to always do the best they could in any situation. Oren and Arline often said their goal was to make life better for their children than it was for them. It was a goal they accomplished in more ways than they ever imagined.
As time went on, Arline accrued the finances to establish part ownership in a beauty shop in Montpelier, called the Artistic Beauty Salon. She operated it until 1968 before selling her share. Oren then remodeled their garage in St. Charles so she could work at home. Many of her Montpelier customers remained loyal and continued to drive to St. Charles for her services.
Arline loved horses and enjoyed her membership in the Bear Lake Rangers. She was a sociable person, liking to spend time with family and friends. She especially liked the reunions with her siblings and their families.
After the passing of her husband in 2002, Arline stayed with her sister for a few months in Daly City, California. There she suffered a stroke and spent most of the remainder of her life at Bear Lake Manor Assisted Living.
Arline is survived by sons Ronald (Cleone) of Montpelier, Bruce (Bonnie) of Farmington, Utah, and Scott (the late Kathy) of Blackfoot; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Kay (Kent) Poulsen of Huntsville, Utah; three brothers, Carloss Holmes of California, William (Carol) Holmes of Brigham City, Utah, and Ferris (Patti) Holmes of Layton, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters, one daughter-in-law, and one grandchild.
Funeral services will be at noon September 26, 2006, at the St. Charles LDS Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery with services under the direction of Matthews Mortuary of Montpelier.