Kara Jan Polson Peterson Obituary (1970 - 2011)

Kara Jan Polson Peterson NEW MEXICO - Kara Jan Polson Peterson passed away Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, after a three-month battle with cancer. Born November 17th, 1970, Jan had fond memories of growing up in Farr West, Utah, where she would work with her grandma in the flower bed, play games with her cousins during regular Sunday get-togethers, and eat fresh strawberries from the garden with her sisters. Fearing nothing, even as a young girl, she learned to deliver calves in the pasture, feed them at the dairy, and rope them at the rodeo. She graduated with honors from Weber High School where she participated in Future Homemakers of America and Future Business Leaders of America, received the Sterling Scholar for Home Economics, and played the violin in the orchestra. She spent part of the summer after graduation in Manosque, France, as part of an exchange program. She continued her education at Utah State University where she majored in Liberal Arts and Pre-Law, taking the steps to fulfill the goal she had set in second grade - to practice law. In 1991, while at USU, she began what would become a nearly twenty-year journey with her new husband and true love, Jason. After attending law school at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and ready to move "anywhere with palm trees," they settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She began working at the Third Judicial District Attorney's Office, eventually becoming the deputy over the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area prosecution unit. In addition to her work with the D. A., she presented classes across the country for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. After nine years, she left the D. A.'s office to continue her legal career in family law and teach a course on criminal justice at New Mexico State University. She felt strongly about contributing to the community and participated in various election campaigns, served on the board for the Community Action Agency, and provided legal help to the public as a volunteer at the Third Judicial District Court Pro Se Clinic where she was recognized for providing outstanding pro bono service by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. Jan left behind her husband Jason Peterson, father Terry Polson (Sharon), mother Rosalie Polson, sisters Jennifer Vesper (Alan), JoAnn Polson, Dawn Polson, and Kendra Polson, and goddaughter Marisol Cano-Garcia. Jan often expressed how lucky she felt to also have such a supportive family of many friends, a blessing she especially treasured during her illness. Services will be held at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah, on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Family will receive friends 11:30-12:45 p.m. prior to the service. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 January 29, 2011 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary - Ogden 1875 Monroe Blvd Ogden, Utah 84401 January 29, 2011 1:00 PM