Sue Petersen

Sue Petersen, aka "Mama P," born Jan. 13, 1935, in North Platte, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2025, at her home in Hailey at the age of 90. Sue was the daughter of Fred and Grace Bunnell and the beloved sister of Jim Bunnell, all formerly of Sacramento, California.

Sue married Dr. Martin Petersen (deceased), and together they raised four sons: Barry, Mark, Sean and Christian (fondly known as Deeder). She was the proud grandmother of Zoe, Cade, Phoebe, Jack and Onni.

The family moved to Ketchum in 1965 and later spent a few years in Pocatello, where Sue and Pete divorced. Sue returned to Ketchum in 1972 with the boys and rented extra rooms in the family house out Warm Springs to a myriad of renters. The place came to be known as "The Home for Wayward Boys." Sue continued this to the current day, renting to more than 50 people all told.

Later, when she moved to East Fork, she instituted weekly volleyball games at her home, hand cranking ice cream to serve to all the players. In this era, her home was known as Petersen Park.

A registered nurse by profession, Sue’s compassionate nature and dedication to others were reflected in her decades of patient care. Off the clock, she was an avid adventurer and athlete who enjoyed exploring the outdoors. Over a span of 10 summers, Sue and her close-knit group of friends—affectionately called “The Gnarly Old Broads”—rode approximately 250 miles of the Continental Divide trail each year, ultimately covering the journey in segments.

Sue was known for her generosity, boundless sense of humor and zest for life. She embraced travel whenever she had the opportunity and was never one to shy away from trying something new, including paragliding on her 80th birthday. In her later years, she opted to spend much of the winter in Oaxaca, Mexico, a place that was dear to her heart.

Beyond her spirited adventures, Sue had a passion for baking and throwing dinner parties. She volunteered at The Hunger Coalition and was a part of the Climate Action Group. Sue cared deeply about the earth and its people and longed for us all to act in ways that reflected her humanitarian beliefs.

Sue was preceded in death by her brother, Jim Bunnell. Her memory lives on in her children, grandchildren, extended family and the many friends whose lives she touched.

A memorial will be held in the summer to celebrate Sue’s extraordinary life and the love she brought into the world. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you honor Sue by spending time outdoors, baking something sweet for someone you love, or simply sharing a hearty laugh in her memory.

The family would like to thank Wood River Hospice and Russ Mikel of Wood River Chapel for their gentle care of Sue.