Leland Burke Petersen passed away peacefully on May 10, 2018 in Denton, Texas. Burke was born June 15, 1933 on a 200-acre farm in Tremonton, Utah where he learned priceless life lessons and the value of hard work. He was the oldest of 7 children born to Edna Oyler and Leland H. Petersen.  He was a farmer, a rancher, a cattleman, a horseman, a banker, a businessman, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. He loved the land, he loved his family, and he loved the Lord.

He lived a rich and full life with many remarkable experiences.  He graduated from Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah where he was the Senior Class President and where he met the love of his life, Carol Yvonne Hess. After a year at Utah State University (then Utah State Agriculture College), he married Yvonne on November 26, 1952 in the Logan, Utah temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They moved to a small log cabin in Willow Creek, Montana with no bathroom or running water.  Burke began his banking career in Butte, Montana as a loan collector. He found success in banking and later held stock in several banks in Illinois, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Iowa. Burke was always a farmer at heart and owned land and livestock in Iowa, Montana, Nevada and Texas. As the owner of one of the largest cattle ranching operations in Nevada, Burke testified before congress in Washington D.C. regarding falling cattle prices.  He and his family moved to Aubrey, Texas in 1982 where he established a registered quarter horse farm. He loved Texas, and he loved Texans, especially the dear friends he and Yvonne made in the latter years of his life. He was a devout Mormon and member of the Denton, Texas Stake of the LDS church. He served in the church in various capacities throughout his life and inspired his children and grandchildren to do the same.

He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Yvonne. As her health failed, he drove to the nursing facility each day and sat by her side for hours watching over her and caring for her every need.  He was heartbroken when she passed away May 16, 2014 and looked forward to their reunion.

Mr. Petersen is survived by his children: Carol and her husband Rocky Testerman of Collinsville, Texas; Steven and his wife Annette Petersen of Denton, Texas; Rick and his wife Robin Petersen of Aubrey, Texas; Julie and her husband Tom Watson of Meridian, Idaho; Robert and his wife Shelly Petersen of Duncan, Oklahoma; Kristine and her husband John Elieson of Southlake, Texas; Jennifer and her husband Brian Williams of Chesapeake Beach, VA.  Burke and Yvonne have 28 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren.

The family expresses gratitude to all the caretakers who cared for him so kindly and graciously at the end of his life, particularly Diane Roberts and Dorothy Goldsmith. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: https://www.ldsphilanthropies. org/missionary

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Denton Stake Center 3000 Old North Road, Denton, Texas 76209 .  Visitation will be held prior to the funeral at 9:00 AM in the Relief Society Room. Internment and graveside ceremony will be held immediately after the funeral at Roselawn Cemetery, 3801 Roselawn Dr, Denton, TX 76207

On line condolences may be made at www.mulkeybowlesmontgomery.com