Kristina Lee Peterson's Obituary
On April 25, 2025, Kristina Lee Wilkinson Peterson’s travelin’ feet walked on to her next journey. She was surrounded by her family and under the compassionate care of Canyon Home Heath and Hospice.
Her adventure here began on June 15,1973 in Murray Utah to Stephen Wells and Patricia Mae Versluis Wilkinson. She is the 4th of 8 children and is survived by her parents and all her siblings. Stephanie, Lisa, Stephen, Wells, Heather, Camille and Niesha.
She was married on May 12,1994 to and is also survived by her best friend and the love of her life Lance James Peterson. Kristina would say if husbands could win gold medals, Lance would have won every one. They were each other’s everything for over 30 years. And during the last few years as she fought the horrible disease ALS, he definitely won the gold medal as caregiver.
Kristina lives on in her incredible and beautiful children Brittany Ann Peterson, Justin James Peterson and Austin Wells Peterson, and in her adorable grandchildren Jack Craig and Kole Lance Bybee and in her beautiful birth daughter Amanda (Nick) Reay and their adorable children Owen Nicholas and Nora Virgina Reay whom she was so grateful and happy
to have had in her life and whom she loved very much! I’m not sure you could find parents who love their children and grandchildren more than Kristina and Lance and vice versa. But isn’t that what every grandparent’s say?!
Kristina grew up in Bountiful Utah and graduated from Bountiful High School in 1991. She raised her beautiful family in the Bountiful area. She loved sports of all kinds, from playing them to watching her favorite teams play, especially the Utes, the Niners and the Padres. While growing up she loved playing soccer despite having Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis from the young age of five. She was as tough as they come and rarely did you hear a complaint from her. She never wanted anyone to tell her what she could or couldn’t do physically. Among the many reasons ALS is incredibly hard is not being able to control anything physically, there's no cure, when you get diagnosed with ALS it’s a death sentence. Kristina would say I can’t control anything that’s happening with my body with ALS, but I can control my attitude and man was she a champion at being positive her whole life and especially with ALS.
She had her twins Brittany and Justin at age 21 and shortly after they moved their little family to Boise Idaho where they lived for a year and a half. When their youngest Austin was born, having 3 children under 3 was quite the adventure and Kristina absolutely loved being a mom but decided being close to family was the best thing for their young family, so back to Bountiful they went.
Kristina was her children’s biggest supporter and fan in anything they participated in. You would hear her enthusiastically screaming from the sidelines as she cheered them on, there was no mistaking a momma Pete cheer!
After her youngest child Austin went off to play college football she and Lance left Bountiful and moved to Cottonwood Heights, where they have lived for over 10 years.
A mountain trail or a sandy beach is where she loved to roam, anywhere outdoors is where she would feel at home. It would be hard to look at a pine tree or a palm tree and not think of Kristina Lee as they are two of her many loves. You would find her enjoying hiking, biking, camping, taking photographs, and chasing sunrises and sunsets.
She had a talent and love of poetry and writing, and a good book was often in her hands. Just months before she passed away, she fulfilled a dying wish of writing a children’s book “The Adventures of Krissy Lee and her Love of Trees.” She had always dreamed of writing a novel or a children’s book or both. She was a lover of music and no genre was left out. There was always music playing when she was around. Going to concerts near and far was also her jam, screaming and singing along like their biggest fan.
She loved traveling, especially road trips and she could never get enough of her favorite place, her sanctuary, her family cabin in West Yellowstone Montana.
Her love of National Parks especially Yellowstone, wildlife, and nature are profound. She loved animals, especially her sweet fur babies Kaspar and Lars and her grand pups Aspen, Cash, and Lulla who always brought comfort and a smile to her face with their unconditional love. There are many more special dogs in her life that she loves dearly.
Of all the many things she loved in life her family and friends were most important! It was her greatest joy to spend time with them. She loved people, she loved serving others and helping and listening to them. She was selfless and constantly thinking of others and focused on the positive in people and situations. One of the greatest gifts she would give people was her unconditional love, acceptance and grace. She was the best friend to so many. You could trust her and count on her.
From her first job at Paces Dairy Ann to her last job of over 13 years at A-1 Driving School where she was the office manager, road tester, and instructor. She would do whatever they needed or asked her to do. Kristina was known to be a very hard worker, on time, loyal, dependable, and good with people. She enjoyed working especially with the public. Whatever job she was at her work friends became family. Some of her best friends today she met through work.
Anyone who knew this incredibly strong, kind, loving, happy, smiling, beautiful, and bright soul will agree that she will surely be missed and feel grateful to have had her in their life. People were just drawn to her. She is definitely unforgettable whether you knew her for a little while or your whole life. She will live on in all of our memories. So we must walk on.
In the words in a poem written by Kristina for her “Walk On” team for an ALS Walk in 2023
Walk on let the wind blow through your hair
Walk on and show how much you care
Walk on through the pain and sorrow
Walk on today for there is no guarantee of tomorrow
Walk on for strength and courage abound
Walk on for laughter and cheers all around
Walk on through the smiles and the fears
Walk on with the sad and the happy tears
Walk on the wild side when you get the chance
Walk on and maybe even do a little dance
Walk on when others are not able to
Walk on when that’s all you can do
Walk on a sandy beach or a mountain trail
Walk on with love you cannot fail
Walk on with the sunrise and the sunset of life
Walk on for Kristina, walk on for her and this beautiful life.
If anyone could have ever beat ALS it would have been Kristina. She was a fighter, she was always trying to find ways to keep doing what she could until there was nothing left to do but surrender to her failing body but she never surrendered in her attitude. Caregivers, doctors and nurses were always amazed at Kristina and her positive attitude and they were always happy to see her smiling face. They would often say I wish every patient I had was like Kristina. But Kristina had empathy and was selfless and knew she was not their only patient, they were working hard at saving her life as well as many others. The loving Hospice team was there taking care of her and making her the most comfortable she could be during the end of this fight. She was nothing but grateful for them and she genuinely cared and appreciated them all.
Kristina and her family would like to thank all the amazing people that helped her so much throughout her fight with ALS. From her incredible family and friends, to the doctors, nurses, and staff at St Marks Hospital, Nielsen Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, and the ALS Clinic at the University of Utah. Also the absolutely amazing nurses, doctors, staff and caregivers from Canyon Home Health and Hospice. Advantage Home Medical Equipment. And ALS United Rocky Mountain. To monetary gifts both known and anonymous. To gifts and hours of service and visits, texts, calls, and so much more, incredible amounts of love and support shown to Kristina and her family. There are countless people to thank. Thanks to everyone!
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to help in the fight against ALS so others won’t have to go through what Kristina and others who are or have battled this horrible terminal disease.
Please join in celebrating Kristina’s life and beautiful soul on Tuesday April 29 at 1 pm at This is The Place Heritage Park at The Garden Place located at 2601 Sunnyside avenue SLC, Utah.
Casual dress is acceptable, maybe even preferred.
Come as you are in what you would like that makes you comfortable and happy is always how Kristina would prefer!
Bright beach or mountain colors is how she imagined this celebration to look like.
What’s your fondest memory of Kristina?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kristina?
Share a story where Kristina's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kristina you’ll never forget.
How did Kristina make you smile?