March 14, 1951 – November 20, 2025

Marsha Peterson was born on March 14, 1951, in Snowflake, Arizona, to Keith and Cherie Flake Peterson. She passed away in November 2025 in Winona, Arizona, near Flagstaff, at the age of 74.

During her childhood, Marsha lived in Winslow, Arizona, where her father worked for the railroad. During her high school years, her parents divorced, and Marsha moved with her mother, Cherie, and her brothers, Kenneth and Ronald, to live near her grandparents in Snowflake—an area that remained deeply meaningful to her throughout her life.

At the age of 17, Marsha married Merrill Burton on November 29, 1968. The young couple lived in Snowflake, where Merrill worked at the Paper Mill. Marsha graduated from Snowflake Union High School in May of 1969. They welcomed a daughter, Holly, who was born on February 4, 1970. Holly was deeply loved and tragically passed away the day after her birth.

Only one month later, Marsha endured another profound loss when her husband Merrill passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 1970. Merrill was laid to rest in his hometown of Dayton, Washington.

Despite the many hardships she faced, Marsha met life with strength, resilience, and quiet grace. She always seemed to rise above her trials and take things in stride. She was tall and beautiful, known for her very thick blonde hair, and was often admired by her many cousins.

Marsha was a fifth-generation native Arizonan and was deeply proud of her pioneer heritage. She was a free spirit who loved the mountains and woods and found peace in nature. An avid reader who loved to sing, Marsha especially cherished her family and lived life on her own terms.

For approximately the last 15 years of her life, Marsha lived on her land in Winona, Arizona, enjoying the solitude and peace that come with living away from the city. That simple, quiet life was exactly how she preferred to live.

Marsha was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill; her daughter, Holly; her parents, Keith and Cherie; and her younger brother, Ronald. She is survived by her older brother, Kenneth, and his four sons.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. While she will be missed here on earth, her family takes comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her loved ones who went before her.

Marsha's ashes will be interred in the grave of her baby daughter, Holly, at Snowflake Cemetery, 81 West 1st South, Snowflake, Arizona 85937. A graveside dedication and prayer will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 11:00 a.m.

Following the graveside service, all are invited to gather at 2:00 p.m. for a memorial and dinner celebrating Marsha's life at Porter Mountain Stables, 3092 Jacks Road, Lakeside, Arizona 85929.