Obituary
Kimberlee Nebeker Peterson passed away peacefully with her husband, Blake, by her side, early Saturday, October 26, 2018. Since March 27, 2018, she, along with many family members and an enormous support of friends, had been battling cancer. Kimberlee was born in Arco, Idaho on January 22, 1976, to parents Wendell Denton Nebeker and Zora Joann Morgan who were sealed in the Logan Temple.
Kimberlee was a very happy child! Everyone loved her happy and bouncy, little personality. She was born with a tender heart and even as a young child was kind and compassionate. She enjoyed many activities in her adolescence, working with her mom in the garden and especially spending time visiting the elderly and getting to know them, running track and then graduating from Fillmore High School, Fillmore, Utah. Prior to heading to college, she earned money working construction, working hard hauling lumber, tying rebar, and building houses. At that time she learned how to drive a stick-shift dump truck which her co-workers nicknamed a ‘jump-truck’ as it would lunge forward as she shifted.
She met her husband, Blake, while attending her first year at Rick’s College. There’s was a love that few find! While Blake served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kimberlee continued her education. She enjoyed a special time after graduating from Rick’s College, living with her sister Terri and her family which had a major impact on her life, as well as their kids. The memories made at that time are cherished still to this day.
As has always been her way, Kimberlee effortlessly worked her way into all of our hearts and soon none of us could picture our lives without Kimberlee being a part of it. She enjoyed a special relationship with Blake’s dad, who became another father to her long before Blake and Kimberlee were married. Blake and Kimberlee were sealed in the Manti Temple on December 19, 1997. After starting life in Utah, they soon moved to Elko, Nevada where Kimberlee began her life-long dream of being a mother - she describes motherhood as “My choicest calling!” Kimberlee was an amazing wife and mother and took a leap of faith beginning with two kids in tow and ending with five kids, as her husband went back to school to be a nurse, then a nurse anesthetist. Her adventurous spirit shown through as she and Blake met a total stranger in Kaysville, UT and exchanged cash for a garage code to a home in Michigan where they would live for the next two years. This nine year journey took them from Moses Lake to Richland, WA, back to Flint, MI, finally landing for good in Yakima, WA.
Kimberlee was deeply involved in her children lives and was known for pulling off legendary works of art: a pirate ship made from cardboard boxes that filled an entire room for months, a mammoth castle constructed by cardboard boxes and painted, cardboard Christmas trees for each child that also corresponded with each childs’ height, ice cream cart that has made many stops throughout the area, painted murals in the kid’s corner at a local dentist office, painted pictures of birds for friends she left behind in Michigan, Primary Carnivals, a reading room for her little girls-complete with painted scenery out a painted window, fireplace with a roaring fire, and countless birthday banners. She spent one summer in Michigan, ‘traveling all over the world’ with her kids as she taught them about different cultures and made various dishes to enhance their “visits.” Her creative/artistic talents were truly limitless as each work she created was lead by love. She continued to develop and shared those talents in and out of the home, blessing the lives of many.
Her love of music and singing is a legacy lived on through the gifts and talents of her five children. Whether through a melody sung, played on the piano, guitar or oboe, her children truly have their mother’s abiding love of music and turn to it daily. If you spend any time in their home, hearing music will be a part of your visit. Kimberlee loved cooking and had a special love for trying new foods and recipes. She enjoyed each season of produce by canning countless jars of peaches, pears, salsa and chunky applesauce. Kimberlee developed quite a talent for taking photographs. Although self-taught, she excelled in taking pictures, especially pictures of individuals and families as she would capture them at their best, showing off God’s love. In the various wards that Kimberlee was apart of, she made her talents available to bless those who may not have been able to have personal pictures otherwise - always free of charge, of course.
The most common description for Kimberlee is that of Sunshine. She literally enhanced the lives of all she touched! Kimberlee had a never-ending gift of love and friendship. She was a fantastic listener. If you knew Kimberlee, you were sure she was your best friend! She had a way of remembering the details of people’s lives and demonstrated that by dropping them a note, flowers or a friendly visit, just when it was most needed. The largest evidence of Kimberlee’s love and giving nature is the overwhelming amount of support, kindness, meals, comfort, people rubbing her feet, reading to her, driving kids to and fro, etc. that was returned to her over the past seven months battle with cancer.
Kimberlee served in many positions throughout her life in service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From Primary, Young Women’s, Relief Society, she was a natural missionary. She had a real talent for writing Primary Programs that would be personal for every child participating. She had a deep testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a personal relationship with her Savior. She knew who she was, where she came from and where she was going someday. Kimberlee shared the following, recently in a letter to Sadee, “My life makes me so happy! If it is long or short, my covenants have brought me greater joy then I could have hoped for. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and is lead by my beloved Savior who loves us beyond our deepest comprehension.”
Kimberlee is survived by her husband of 20 years, Blake Thomas Peterson; their children Sadee (18), Tanner (16), Eliza (13), KayLynn (11), and Addie (9); her mother, Zora Joann Nebeker; and siblings: Wenda Jo Toland (Mitch), Rondell D. Nebeker (Karen), Rachelle Nebeker, Terri Ann Jenkins (Mike), Wendell Morgan Nebeker (Jana), IvaLou Zeigler (Matthew), David Franklin Nebeker (Jenny), Cordell Denton Nebeker (Meghan); Kimberlee was preceded in death by her father, Wendell Denton Nebeker.
