Patricia Kay Peterson Hakala

Patricia Kay (Peterson) Hakala, age 81, died on March 19th, 2024. 

Patricia (Pat) was born in Tooele, Utah on March 27, 1942, to Benjamin (Benny) and Isabell Peterson- child number three, joining her sister Joyce and her brother Larry. At the time of her birth, her parents were living in Tooele, but they moved shortly after to Elko, Nevada. They returned to Utah, where her brother Leland was born two years later. Isabell and Benny divorced, and Isabell married O Dean (Dean) Caldwell in 1947, when Pat was just five years old. Dean took all of Isabell’s children into his heart and became “Dad” to Pat and her brothers and sisters. Over the next seven years, three additional sisters were born into this blended family, Vicky, Wilma, and Sherry. All of Isabell’s and Dean’s blended family were sealed to them when they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1951. By this time, they had moved to Murray Utah. 

Pat married Harry Stauffer in 1959 and they had two daughters, Carrie and Tina. Tina was born very premature and only lived a day. Pat and Harry had divorced prior to Tina’s birth. Shortly after that, she met the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) Hakala. They were married in 1961 and shared their great love for each other for 62 years, Ted passed away just one year ago in March 2023. Pat and Ted added three more children to their family, Todd, Alena, and Mark. Ted and Pat were married in the temple in 1977, sealing all of their children to them. 

While raising this growing family, Pat worked out of the home as first a housekeeper and later at Deseret Pharmaceuticals (aka Becton-Dickerson) in quality control. After retiring from there she worked at various daycare facilities. 

Her children were her life. In her life story, she wrote, “Always remember I will always be here for you. Mother will always help with your needs”. She also loved her church, especially working with the little ones she taught Sunday School to. This was her calling for over 20 years. She crocheted hundreds of lap blankets for the members of the LDS Crescent 5th Ward in Sandy (which they attended for over 40 years), extended family members and anyone she thought would benefit from a little love wove into yarn. She was a very kind and giving soul with a smile that would light the world. Her passing has left a hole in all our hearts, but she is now at peace with Ted and those who passed before. 

Patricia is survived by her children, Carrie (Justin) Cole, Alena Hakala, and Mark Hakala as well as 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren (soon to be 3). She is also survived by her brother, Lee Hawker, and sisters, Wilma Vinton and Sherry Alexander. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Ted Hakala, daughter, Tina Ray, son, Todd Hakala, her parents, O Dean and Isabell Caldwell, and her sisters and brothers, Larry Peterson, Joyce (Peterson) Christenson, Vicky (Caldwell) Olivas and stepbrother Kelly Caldwell. 

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM at  Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.  You may visit with the family prior to services at a viewing from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM.  

The interment will follow services at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan UT.