Mary June Peterson Miller was born in Sanford, Colorado June 29, 1924, the fourth child of Wilford Glen and Jennie Amelia Paulson Peterson. She passed on at her home in Sanford on Oct 20, 2015. A graduate of Sanford High School, she married Richard Herman Miller May 3, 1942 in Sanford, and they were later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple on December 11, 1963. To this union were born four sons, Richard Kim, David Vaughn, Steven Kay and Wilford Glen.

Mary June was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Herman Miller; her parents Wilford & Jennie Peterson; two sisters, Olive Reed and Maxine Poulson; a brother Lee Peterson; an infant brother, Andrew Frank Peterson and three grandchildren, Richard Lee Miller, Jessee Laurette Miller & Ryan Cass Miller.

Mary June is survived by her two sisters, Jean Davis and Bonnie Winters, and a brother David Peterson all living in Albuquerque, NM; her sons; Kim (Lois), Vaughn (Connie), Kay (Denise) of Sanford and Glen Miller of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; 22 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren and many wonderful in-laws.

Mary June had a gift for writing and especially enjoyed poetry. She was a member of the Colorado Historical Society and loved researching San Luis Valley History. She initiated the startup of the Sanford Museum. Among her published writings were a historical book on Sanford titled “We Call it Home” and a book of poetry, Pickin’ and Pannin’ regarding the early mining days in Creede, Colorado. She had the remarkable ability to capture the essence of an occasion in her poetry. She started the LDS Sanford 24th of July pageant honoring the pioneer settlement of the town, and she wrote and directed many of them.

Mary June loved to travel! She visited many famous attractions in Europe, made numerous trips to Canada to visit family and toured throughout the United States. Albuquerque, New Mexico was especially dear to her. She had great memories of living there for a time and of the many visits with her family. No matter where she traveled, she loved to come home to Sanford and as she drove into her back yard she would sing, “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!”

Mary June and Herman would often drive around the valley; remembering events and people they loved. Even a trip up and down Main Street was a joy to her. She kept a close eye on her family, her greatest joy of all!

Her career started in the pea sheds in La Jara. Mary June attended Beauty school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was multi-talented and held a variety of jobs throughout her life including a beauty salon in her home for a short time. She ran the Sanford Cafe and The Handcart Book Store in La Jara. She was a bookkeeper for Cal Gas and Helms Potato Company, and a secretary at the Alamosa Hospital, and also a secretary for Dr. Dale Thomas in La Jara. Most of her career was working as a clerk for the United States Forest Service, and after retiring from the Forest Service she worked as the Sanford Town Clerk for a number of years. She formed many strong friendships with coworkers and loved to speak of them and experiences they had shared. Along with the many jobs she held, her main concern and achievement was being a devoted wife and mother.

Mary June was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she held numerous positions throughout her life, including that of Relief Society President. She was a fabulous cook and hosted many dinners for family and friends. She was skilled at Rook, and delighted in Rook get-togethers with Clubs and Family. She had a lovely voice, played the piano and could recite poetry with speed and precision. Multi-talented, industrious and devoted, she was busy all the time!

A memorial service was held Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Sanford LDS Church, after which she was laid to rest in the Sanford Cemetery.

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