Randall James Petersen

Randall James Petersen, age 41, of La Grande, died Saturday, December 11, 2004 at home from natural causes. A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2004 at the United Methodist Church. Private interment will be held at the Island City Cemetery.

Randy was born on April 5, 1963, the son of James and Shirley (Fulkerson) Petersen in Billings, Montana. The family moved to La Grande in 1967. He graduated from La Grande High School with the class of 1981. He then moved to Billings, Montana and worked at Village Shoes for a few years before moving to Seattle where he worked in the women's shoe department at Nordstroms. In 1986 he returned to La Grande to attend Eastern Oregon University. While at EOU he worked for Student Activities, 10 Depot Street, Fitzgerald Flowers and was Student Body President. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Economics. After graduation he worked as a financial consultant for Hermann Financial Service. He then went to work at EOU for Chartwell's Catering. On July 25, 1998 he married Vivian Tucker in La Grande. He went to work for Sysco Food Services in August of 1998 as a salesperson. He primarily serviced Wallowa County and in his first year on the job was Rookie of the Year. He went on to earn many awards for Top Salesman over the years and a trip to Mexico. Randy enjoyed skiing, camping, traveling and loved doing things with his family. He was a very likable people person and loved to buy cars.

Survivors include his mother, Shirley Petersen; sisters, Joni Petersen-Simonis and Kris Petersen; brother, Steve Simonis; nephew, Justin Simonis, former wife, Vivian Petersen, all of La Grande; grandmother, Elizabeth Petersen Iwen of Billings, Montana; uncles and aunts, Terry and Jill Petersen of Salem and Nancy and Joe Hubbard of Helena, Montana; numerous cousins; best friend, Laura Haefer of La Grande and other relatives and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Petersen in 1992. He was also preceded in death by grandfather, Earle Petersen, grandparents, Pearl & Grover Fulkerson; uncles, Gene and Clint Fulkerson and aunts, Marge Robke and Pam Thomas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Randy Petersen Memorial Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850. To view the obituary, sign the guest book or leave a condolence on-line, visit www.danielschapel.com