Quinn, Watermelons, and Quality work

I have had quite a lot of thoughts about Quinn this summer.  

It seems that every time I pick watermelon I think of Quinn.  He loved to come out to the field and watch and help as we did that.  He really wanted to learn how to tell if they were ripe and, like always, he got really good at it so fast.  Picking watermelon is such hard work for me but one of my favorites on the farm because I have a chance to talk to my help cause they aren't doing anything but waiting for me to throw them a melon to toss to the next guy and out to the end of the field.  Anyway, I think that is why I think of Quinn cause we had some good times out there talking while we worked.  It was low-key and fun which I don't do much of at any other time on the farm besides watermelon picking (at least when no one is dropping any melons).  

Here is another cool thing that happened today:

A lady came to get peaches today in Wayne Co., Tanya Taylor.  She said she made a comment on my facebook advertisement post about the peaches saying something to the affect of, if they are good I will get some.  Then someone told her that it was Quinn Petersen's family that was selling them and she said she felt so bad that she doubted they were good quality.  I'm so proud that my brother made that kind of impression on people down there, that someone would know him and expect only quality work.

Still Thinking of you and Loving you

As a family we gathered on April 21st in memory of Quinn. We sent him balloons with messages just for him. What a beautiful day it was. We miss you Quinn, but are confident you are doing great missionary work in heaven.

Jake Petersen

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 6 months this week since we lost Quinn. My heart was full the night of the 24th and has been ever since so I thought I would post my thoughts here and say I love you bro and miss u like crazy every day.

YouTube Video LInk

Today I started a new round of P90X. When I first started that exercise program it was in Utah around Christmas time and Quinn participated with Chase and I. This morning I mixed up my after-work-out protein shake and I vividly remembered standing in Nancy's house in Grover at the fridge. Quinn was behind me at the counter using the immersion blender to stir up his protein drink and I thought, "Why would he dirty that entire immersion blender when he could just use a spoon and it would be easier to clean up? Whatever." I miss him today and he's immediately on my mind. Now I wish I had an immersion blender to mix up my drink just so I could ask that ridiculous question again.

~Missy

Steven Deem

Steven Deem

I heard this song for the first time a few days ago and instanly Quinn was in this song.

Lift me up, each day, even though you've gone away, your spirit dances in my mind, in my heart and in my soul.

The life you lived, the love you left the one's you've touched,we wont forget you give us strength in time of need,

My Friend, My Angel Friend.

'And we shared good times, through the years, in my heart and soul you're here with me,

My Friend, My Angel Friend.

I hear you whisper, in the wind, piece by piece our hearts will mend, the dreams you've shared will carry on, here and now, and beyond,

and the world will smile, for you were here, the gifts you brought, we'll hold them dear, I'll take you with me, 'till we meet again, My Friend, My Angel Friend.

And we'll share good times from now on, in my heart you live on with me,

My Friend, My Angel Friend.

I Miss My Friend!!!

by Rodney Carrington

see YouTube Video

Comment Card Transcriptions

There were lots of great memories here. Thanks to everyone who took the chance to do this.

Travis Butterfield:
I have a couple of good memories that I have of Quinn. One was when he was down in Arizona he asked me to come play softball on his team. We had a great time. I also remember when he was in the boys’ ranch & I came & visited him a few times & we went to the movies & stuff. Those were some fun times. There are many other memories, but those are just a few that make me smile. He was fun, fun guy.

Nanners Himmer:
I remember when my son Chad, Bradden & Quinn were at my house cooking spaghetti noodles and sucking them up their noses and coughing them out of their mouths. What great memories and snorting jello. We will miss you tons.

Bradley Garner:
At the cabin I remember when the sign from the previous owners had to come down. Quinn trying to get me out from underneath the sign- couldn’t stop laughing- he kept me laughing the whole drive down the mountain until I got help.

Brennan Rees:
We were in Lake Mead working and that night in the motel we stayed up all night laughing and talking. We kept everyone else up because of the stories he kept telling.

Victoria A.:
I was in church for the first time in Riverton he welcomed me with open arms. He was and will always be one of my best friends. Till we meet again I will always treasure his memory.

Aunt Dianne & Uncle Raymond:
Quinn loved to eat deer meat when working at the restaurant. I don’t know if he loved the meat or the visit, or the visit from Uncle Raymond, or the little break from work. (Probably all three.)
We love this boy and his respect and affection for us.

Atalie Oliver:
When you, me, Whit & Brock all rocked out to the “Right Now ‘na na na’ song in Brocks jeep and ate our hige cup of tator-tots at 3 in the morning! I’ll never forget you Quinn! I’ll miss you! See you later!

Honey Karen Swift:
We would four-wheel in the foothills after school together.
And when we played on the tennis team at RHS.

xCarly:
We battled on the tubes on Utah Lake… I will forever cherish the memories.

Megan Lalliss:
Quinn used to always make Chewy sounds from Star Wars.

Aunt Joann:
We all went to Hawaii together. We were waiting to go on the Pearl Harbor tour. Quinn was restless. So Quinn and I went for a walk around the buildings. Quinn walked on all the retaining walls and I walked beside him. He jumped over everything. We had so much fun. The wait didn’t seem long at all. It was a special time. He was such a delight on the trip.

Brad:
Building forts in the woods at family reunions. Riding bikes in the wash at the farm. Always having a good time, always smiling.

Spencer Leyba:
I always remember him popping wheelies on the farm and grabbing a soda. Lol & Just working with him & tomato wars.

Gloria Harward:
I always felt happy around him and I needed that. I will always remember his kindness and constant beautiful smile.

BJ Mendenhall:
Making my son Nate feel so welcome in the new ward. Muddy Putty caves, nearly knocking down Wilcox barn with the tractor. What a fun guy. Quinn was great.

Eric Allred:
Quinn and I would skinny dip in the canal with Chex, we would float all the way to 118th and then get out and run naked all the way back to our clothes, we would get dressed and go build traps to catch thins in the “wash” and swing on the tree swing and go back to the club house to shoot our pellet guns and cook hot dogs on the fire.

Lara Kunz:
Quinn… “The Master Frog Catcher!” Quinn went to the pond and caught frogs and pollywogs for Chase & Christian. Cute, cute boy! We love you Nancy & your family!


?:
Quinn and all our friends were standing in the hallways he would outdo everyone’s back flips. He will be missed.

Kevin Skouten:
Me & Quinn would work on the farm he always made it fun. He always made everything we did fun.

Dallen Turner:
I watched an NFL football game on TV with Quinn. Rams v. Lions

Austin Stewart:
We lived together and rode bikes at the dune. I will miss you & I love you buddy.

Elyssa V.:
Quinn used to be the life of the party in life high school. Always center of attention! May you rest in peace Quinn.

Owen Tucker:
Quinn came into the office to discuss his construction work or cars and trucks. He was so well mannered and calm. I enjoyed talking & working with him.


Haley Burton:
2 Words! Annie Oakley!


Travis Copier:
Quinn and I were driving to my Grandparents house in LaVerkin to go wake-boarding. We talked a lot about how he wanted to change, clean up, and go on a mission. He said he had a dream that he was supposed to go to Armenia, and open a new area, after some things had gone wrong there. He stated he was sent there to do that. Because the Lord and his mission president knew he was the only person for the job. It felt like he was looking at two paths at that point, he just had to choose the right one. I feel like he is going to still go on a mission, just a different one, in a different place. He was the closest thing to a little brother I’ve ever had. We had so much fun together.

Alli Copier:
You were on the first date I went on with Travis. I always loved your smile and happy nature! Thanks for giving us moments to smile! We love you!

Megan Callister:
Quinn and I used to go out exploring around the farm, I remember being 3 and hiding in my parent’s basement talking. In 5th grade we shared a class & sat by each other & became good friends regardless of his preference for BYU over the UofU. A Kiss at age 3 & on my cheek in 5th grade under the desk. Always special to me.

Cooper:
It was fun hunting rabbits with him.

Kim Torgerson:
Quinn was always happy to listen to any trouble I may have had. He always was cool & calm. His smile and excitement about a new challenge stands out as a characteristic of his. I’ll miss you Quinn.

Megan Jeppson, Brooke Green, & another friend:
Motorcross night and movie nights. You were always so happy and crazy you will be missed! Love ya bud.

Ann VanDyke:
Quinn was in my preschool. He was so cute and always had so much energy. I loved him so much.
Lensi Carli:
We battled on the tubes at Utah Lake, camping & boating at Lake Powell, and keeping me up all night with his contagious laughter! There was never a dull moment when Quinn was around. I will forever cherish the precious memories and countless adventures I had with him ! He truly was such a sweet spirit and loved by all who knew him… including me. I love you Quinn!

Kate Rees:
You came to all the family reunions and were always happy and cheerful;. Thank you! We love you Quinn!

Robin Brown Family:
We were at Lake Powell together! His smile and strength and love were abounding when he was with our family! His smile and sweet spirit will always be a part of my memory of him! He was a cherished part & member of our family.

Whitlee Bolton:
Me, Atalie, Brock, Quinn jammed out in the car to music for hours. We had so much fun that night, having tater-tot fights, watching movies all day Saturday. Quinn always put a smile on our faces & was such a joy to be around. We will miss you Quinn, rest in peace until we meet again.

Hollie Burton Jewkes:
Quinny was always ready with a smile- always bright & full of laughter. We love you so much Quinn- you will be missed so much.

Steven Deem

Quinn always called me by my nick name ''screamin deemon'' all through our senior year! Well it was the last week of our senior year and for senior sluff day the class went down to the falls in Capitol reef natl. park. We had to go down int o a crawl space type thing and I went first so I jumped in and hit my little toe on a rock and I looked down and started screaming! Quinn and dallas brown pulled me out of the hole and my little toe was pointed side ways and bleeding! So Quinn, being the helpful and educated doctor/E.M.T. on scene at the time said "DUDE DUDE dont move, it's just dislocated" and I remember he grabbed my toe and I pulled away for him because it hurt soo bad I heard this big CRACK! So Quinn and coty shelley helped me up the trail to my truck and put me in the passenger side and me and coty wre just about to leave when Quinn came runnin up the trail and came to the truck and said "I will be here when you git back from the hospital if you need me"!! Turned out Quinn wasn't the educated doctor he claimed to be! I had 3 breaks that went up into my foot.I told him that night when I got back from the hospital and all he said was "Dude that looked like it hurt like hell''. Quinn laughed when I showed up to graduation wearing a chippewa cowboy boot on the left foot and a white cast on my right foot!

Updated Slideshow

Kaitlin White

He had just gotten up to Salt Lake from his mom’s and I got in his car. I was so thirsty. I had to have something to drink, I hate carbonation, but I saw the mountain dew bottle and I thought this will do.

I took a big drink. (Mind you the whole time Quinn was just sitting there looking at me not saying a word) I gagged when it hit the back of my throat. What I thought was mountain dew was really Quinn’s spit, left over mountain dew, and chewed bits of sunflower seeds. I opened the door and spit it out so fast. I said, "what kind of a person let’s someone just drink something like that and not say anything?" Quinn, "the kind of person who wanted to see your reaction when you drank it, well that sucked I bet, he laughed. Who just gets in a car and drinks the first thing they see? At least it wasn’t piss." Me, “ Quinn, I was just so thirsty. We laughed so hard I almost peed.

Cory Teuscher

I first met Quinn the summer that Chase and Missy started remodeling their house here in South Burlington and he came out to give them a hand. He was a sweet kid, a hard worker, and a joy to be around. We spent may hours often late into the night putting up dry wall, tapping and sanding the kitchen and dinning room. I also spent my birthday with him as my wife was called away for a family emergency. Ribs, buffalo wings, fries, and chocolate cake on the dinning room table in the family, everything covered with drop clothes to keep the dust off. Thank you Quinn for two weeks of memories for which I am eternally grateful. One last thing, as the three of us were working there was, as is often the case when men work and play together, the occasional flatulence. After some ribbing he turned to Chase and said, "What, are you to good to fart anymore?" God speed and may you find reset and peace "Encircled in the Arms of His Love!" Catch ya on the other side!

The Quinn That I know

By: Chase Petersen

As the human soul expands from the dawn of life’s inception

At times our mirror holds more than just one reflection

The man that we would be and the vices that we hold

Our heart’s pure intent and the face of imperfection

Some faces cower from the light and others- a pleasure to behold

One face would be our greatest pride and another our pain untold

The Quinn that I know was an image beautiful and clear

Full of life, fight and friendship; affectionate and bold

Fun-loving, kind and helpful, considerate and sincere

One you could know for a moment and for a lifetime revere

He’d have you laughing ‘til you peed as an actor in life’s play

As he brought life’s awkwardness to life with tales of yesteryear

He could get hired in a minute and be fired the next day

Only to be hired again the next, to our disbelief and dismay

A body full of humor, without a glint of judgment in his face

Loyal, courageous and care-free, never missing a moment of today

The Quinn that I know has left far more than a trace

In the hearts of all who knew him; a friend we can’t replace

It is you that I remember, the joy in your complexion

I’ll hug you ‘til it’s hard to breathe when I meet you in that place

Beautiful Quinn Picture

A picture taken outside Mom and Gaylen's house in Kirtland when they were serving their summer mission there a couple years ago.

Natasha Burgess Sampson

I have known him since my 9th grade year when we moved into the neighborhood, He was the CUTEST kid in our ward and I remember thinking sometimes that I couldn't believe he was younger than me. He was a funny, quiet at times, sweet, strong guy. The last time I spoke to him was probably in high school and I remember sometimes giving him and Kevin a ride home from school but the last time I seen him was a few weeks ago, I’m not sure why he was a church but I saw him come in with his mom. I remember thinking holy cow he is still cute as crap lol and come to find out my sister was thinking the same thing as I was when she saw him come in to. I was talking to my friend the other day and she was telling me that she had had a crush on him when we were younger to so I’m thinking that 80% of the young girls in our ward had the biggest crush on him and I doubt he even knew it or he didn't act like it anyway! It still seems unreal to me that he is gone. Someone that is funny and sweet and kind and loving needs to be here because that is the world that most people want to live in. I know that he is with our Heavenly Father and that the spirits in heaven are blessed to have him home. I'm sad for his family to lose such a great person and hope they are comforted by the knowledge that he is with our Savior. Rest In Peace Quinn.

Brynne Frei

Tanner and I are so happy we got to spend time with Quinn so recently. We were able to have dinner with him the weekend Grandpa had his second surgery and loved every second spent with him. Tanner, Janey, Eli, Quinn and I were sort of banned to the "kids' table" while our parents and aunts and uncles were in the family room eating. Although we were now in our 20s, we had once again found ourselves at the "kids' table". Janey was being her usual crazy self and Quinn was laughing so hard at all of her mannerisms. We spent the night catching up on our lives while Tanner and Quinn swapped stories from their experiences in the sales industry. I loved watching Tanner get to know my sweet cousin. Kaitlin arrived later on that evening while we were in the kitchen doing dishes and we got to watch while Quinn and Kaitlin played with Janey and Eli at the table. I always loved watching Quinny play with his nieces and nephews so it was so fun to see him share the same love with my own niece and nephew.

Quinn has always held a special place in my heart and I'm so grateful I was able to be a small part of his wonderful life.

Heather Mitchell

I didn't know Quinn for a long time or even that well. But I am glad I did know him. He was nice and funny. He had a contagious smile and laugh. He was so handsome too! He will be missed. My heart and prayers go out to Quinn and his family. He was taken too soon.

Obituary

Quinn C. Petersen 1987 ~ 2011 Beloved son, brother, grandson and uncle, Quinn Clifton Petersen, 24, passed away April 23rd, 2011. He was born March 25th, 1987 in Murray and raised on the family farm in Riverton, Utah. He is the son of the late Craig A. Petersen (Riverton) and Nancy Petersen Rees, and Gaylen K. Rees (Grover), Utah.

From his birth Quinn was a unique and fun-loving boy. He enjoyed life to its fullest. Anyone that knew Quinn was a fast friend. His personality was bright and exciting. He was witty and quick with his humor and could brighten a room instantly. Those of us who knew and loved him remember many times laughing until we cried. Quinn was an extremely bright and talented young man. Because of his talents and personality he was looked up to and loved by many. He was a natural leader and people were drawn to him and felt comfortable in his presence. He could captivate the heart of anyone young or old. Quinn was a handsome young man and liked to look his best. His tender heart and unforgettable smile endeared him to everyone he met. We will miss him terribly.

Quinn loved his family, sweetheart Kaitlin White, the farm, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, motorsports, exercising, eating healthy and working with his hands. He enjoyed working in the construction business with his Rees brothers and sister and cousin Brett. Quinn was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of the Savior. He believed in eternal families and looked forward to seeing his dad again. We believe he is enjoying a joyful reunion with those who have gone before him and is continuing his eternal journey.

Survived by his mother Nancy Petersen Rees (Gaylen), and his brothers Jake Petersen, Luke Petersen (Hilarie), Chase Petersen (Missy), and his sister Marci Kay Childs (Brandon) and his grandfather Jacob P. Burton Jr. Preceded in death by his father Craig Alan Petersen and grandparents Roy and Vera Petersen, and Myrl Burton. Funeral Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Harvest Park Stake Center, 4501 W. 11800 So. Friends and family may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 So. 2200 W. and Friday an hour and a half prior at the church. Interment in the South Jordan Cemetery. www.broomheadfuneralhome.com

A Life in Pictures

Emily Callister Frazier

My first thought when thinking of a story to share was back when we were little kids. I was best friends with his sister and we all (my siblings and theirs) went swimming together one afternoon. For some reason we look in the back seat and Quinn had just kissed my little sister. I think they were 6 at the time. I will never forget my sister's first kiss. There are so many other stories but this one is my favorite.

Ben Brohl

I remember so many memories of Quinn. My fondest is when we all went to Mexico for a vacation and we went snorkeling and wind surfing and ate mexican food till we were all sick to our stomachs. Then Quinn went to get a drink at the bodaga and came back with an alcholic drink and we all asked him if he asked if there was alcohol in it and he said he didn't know he needed to ask that question, LOL. Well, turns out we made him pour it out and get another one. My other memory of Quinn was horseback riding, he loved to go, Chase and I sometimes didn't want him to go with because he was younger than we were but he came along anyway. We were out in the dirt road and Quinn really needed to go to the bathroom and all that was around was corn feilds so off Quinn went... he was such a fun loving kid, he could always make us laugh even when times were tough, he had such an amazing spirit about him that it didn't matter who was around people just gravitated to him. I will really miss him.