Leslie Jean Stapelman Petersen Evans

Leslie Jean Stapelman Petersen Evans passed away Wednesday April 17, 2024, in Layton, UT. She was born July 31, 1941, in Rupert, Idaho, to Lester William and Marjorie Carraway Stapelman. She joined a sister, Doris, and was later joined by sisters, Margene, Lois, and Janell, and a brother, Daniel. 

She attended schools in Rupert, Heyburn, and Paul, graduating from Minico High School in 1959. She then attended Ec-Cel-Sis Beauty College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She worked as a beautician for a few years wherever she lived and tried to keep her family looking their best.

Growing up, Leslie loved animals, especially horses and loved riding, Smoky. She was very creative and artistic – helping make everyone’s Valentine boxes, sewing clothes for her sisters, and loved making embroidery items and painting gift bags and wooden décor items for the Stapelman Family auction each year. She was very social and had lots of good friends and loved to plan parties for birthdays, as well as just regular get-togethers with friends. She was always bringing friends home on the spur of the moment and hoping her mom had food to feed them. She was on the yearbook staff during high school and loved that.

In February 1961 she married Clark Petersen and to this union 2 boys were born. Kenneth Petersen in November 1961 and Douglas Petersen in September 1965. They were later divorced. She then married Dale Evans and became Mom to 4 more kids – 2 girls and 2 boys. Denise, Dale, Lori, and Eddy were always hers in her heart.

She worked for UDOT for many years, until her retirement. She and Dale had built a cabin/home in Fruitland and when they retired, they moved there as their permanent home. They loved to decorate the yard and had several cute outbuildings with fun decorations and inviting plants. They enjoyed fishing and golfing and going on adventures to Flaming Gorge as well as visiting kids and grandkids.

Leslie is survived by her children, Kenneth Petersen of Jelm WY, Douglas Petersen of Herriman UT, Dale Evans of West Haven UT, Lori Evans of Brooklyn, OH, and Eddie Evans of Parma, OH. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren; 3 sisters: Margene Johnson, Lois Wood, and Janell Ahern of Idaho; and 1 brother, Dan Stapelman of UT. She was proceeded in death by both of her husbands, Clark Petersen and Dale Evans; a daughter, Denise Jordan; her parents; and older sister, Doris Jensen.

At her request, there will be no services. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.