Dr. Joseph R. Petersen

Dec. 28, 1944 - Oct. 30, 2026

Date of Service: Nov. 14, 2026

BURLEY – Known by many names, "Little Joe," "Pete," "Dad," "Poppy," but most will remember him as "Dr. Joe".

Joseph Raymond Petersen was born December 28, 1944, in Kimberly, Idaho, the third son of Joseph Hyrum Petersen and Fern McEwen.

Joe’s indomitable work ethic began at four years old when he delivered newspapers down Overland Avenue in Burley. As a teenager, he worked at Pettingill's Gas Station while attending Burley High School, from where he graduated in 1963. He continued his education at Ricks College on scholarship to play basketball and football. He served a mission in Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Elder David B. Haight as his mission president. Elder Haight always referred to Joe as the "Cassia County kid."

Upon returning from his mission, he transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was on the BYU campus where he encountered his younger neighbor girl, Linda Kaye Anderson, who would be by his side as his wife and best friend for 58 years. They were married in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on September 6, 1968.

Joe graduated from BYU in May 1969 and then joined the United States Army National Guard completing basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He served for nine years. After basic training, he graduated from the University of Utah in Physical Therapy.

Joe treasured his three years as a physical therapist at Primary Children's Hospital, and the doctors there encouraged him to apply to medical school. At that time, there was an age cap for medical school admissions in the United States. Consequently, Joe applied to and attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico from 1975 until 1978. Since his schooling was entirely in Spanish, he learned Spanish simultaneously while completing his medical coursework.

In 1978, a landmark Supreme Court case determined age discrimination in school admissions was not allowed. With an opportunity to apply to medical school in the United States, Joe was accepted at the University of Utah Medical School and chose to start medical school all over again.

Upon completion of medical school in 1982, the family moved to Michigan for a one-year internship in general surgery. After Michigan, Joe was accepted for an orthopedic surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.

After his four-year residency, he received offers across the country, but Joe and Linda felt like Burley was the best place to continue raising their six children. He was welcomed back by the many people who had nurtured him as a child when he returned home in 1987 to open his orthopedic practice.

In 1999, Joe and Linda built the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Burley to better serve their community. For more than three decades, Joe selflessly served patients day and night at his office, in the local hospitals, and in their homes. He also went to Cabo Verde, Africa on 12 different medical humanitarian trips. Although he retired in 2019, he kept his medical license active until the day he died.

Joe served in various church callings, but his favorite was as an ordinance worker in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple for 15 years. The early schedule required waking up at 2 a.m. to make the drive.

After fighting cancer for 30 years, he passed peacefully on October 30, 2026, at the age of 81 in his home surrounded by his family who appreciate the kind care he received by dedicated medical personnel.

Joe sincerely demonstrated a rare generosity and an ability to give his whole attention to care for the individual. He was incredibly intelligent, and his ability to recall abstract detail and facts was remarkable. His family relished the opportunity to bring a smile to his face, and he will be remembered for his quick humor. Most importantly, he will be remembered for his goodness, fierce loyalty, service to his fellow men, and love and commitment to His Savior.

Joe is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Kimberli (Matt) Seely, Cortney (Doug) Abenroth, Marci (Dave) Nebeker, Dr. Megan Petersen, Trevor Petersen, and Ashley Petersen; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Don (Gina) Petersen; a beloved nephew; and dear nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Pete; sister-in-law Shirley; and nephew, Bill.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Unity 1st Ward, located at 275 South 250 East, Burley, with Bishop N. Rob Hansen officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group. Burial will follow at Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, November 13, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/xB9bNCxR6Cg.