Beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Friend

Leah May Peterson was born in Fairview, Utah to Reed Merrill Peterson and Arla May (Stansfield) Peterson. Leah was the third of four children, sister to Elaine, Ross, and twin to Leland. She was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a faithful lifetime member.

When she was an infant, the family moved to San Bernardino, California where she spent a happy childhood and adolescence.

As a young woman, Leah attended Brigham Young University where she met her first husband, James L. Peterson (no relation). They had six children, the greatest joys of her life: Linda Nedra Peterson; Collene Arla Funk (Patrick); James Reed Peterson (Molly); Michael Arville Peterson (Shelly); David Huckba Peterson (Heidi); and Mark LeRoy Peterson (Melissa). Leah and James divorced in 1981.

Leah began a career with Hanford Environmental Health Foundation as a Human Resource Specialist when her children were nearly raised. While working for HEHF, she returned to school and fulfilled a long-term goal when she was graduated from Central Washington University, at the age of 53, with a liberal arts degree.

On 3 May 1986, Leah married Alma Parker Baird. They shared eight years together until his death in 1994.

After her retirement from HEHF, Leah served an LDS mission in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission.

On 9 February 2013 Leah married Allen D. Kelley. They were married for eight years until his death in 2021.

Though successful and respected in her human resources career, Leah’s favorite occupation was music. She was a member of the Washington State Music Teachers Association for nearly fifty years, patiently instructing students in piano, voice, and organ.

Leah was dedicated to service work in her church and community. She played the church organ for twenty years, and was an ordinance worker in the Washington, Columbia River Temple. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, taught English as a Second Language, and was enthusiastic in supporting the Friends of the Richland Library.

Above all, Leah’s delight and devotion were to her family with whom she shared close and loving relationships. “Her children arise up and call her blessed.” – Proverbs 31:28

Leah was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her six children and twelve grandchildren: Matthew Barnett, Miranda Funk, Emma Zumwalt, Kyle Peterson, Kathy Ruggles, Annie Peterson, August Peterson, Hannah Peterson, Hailey Peterson, Jozlin Peterson, Benjamin Peterson, and Caden Peterson, and three great-grandchildren: Kennedy Ruggles, Camille Ruggles, and Charlie Zumwalt.

Many nieces and nephews also survive her, as well as numerous stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-greatgrandchildren from her Baird and Kelley families.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1720 Thayer Drive, Richland, WA on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Friends of the Richland Public Library.