Smoot's oldest pioneer, Rula Jannett Peterson Crook, 94 died June 3, 1993 at the home of her son, James Crook in Iona, ID, causes incident to her age.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 7, 1993 in the Smoot LDS Ward with Counselor Kay Cox officiating. Interment was in the Smoot Cemetery.
Rula was born Sept 13, 1898 in Smoot WY to Charles Henry and Mary Nelson Bruce Peterson. She was raised on their farm and was taught the value of an honest day's work. She remembered even at an early age, Chief Washakie and then Butch Cassidy coming to their home. She attended school in a log house and then went on horseback to go to high school in Afton, most of the time. During the winter months she batched it with other family members. When she graduated from Star Valley High School, there were only 13 graduates.
She married Rulon James (Hemi) Crook on June 1, 1921 in the Salt Lake Temple. Four children were born to this union. Cleta, who died from whooping cough and appendicitis at age five, Ened, Vonda and James Peterson.
She lived most of her life in Smoot except for the time she attended the University of Utah and then taught grade school in Etna. During World War II she lived with her family in Salt Lake city for a few years.
She started playing the piano at an early age and played for dances all over Star Valley. Sometimes she'd receive top pay for this of $1.50 for an evening and lots of times, just a thank you. She was organist in the different church organizations for over 80 years. She played by ear and always said, if you can hum it, I can play it. She enjoyed working in all organizations on stake and ward levels and served on the Star Valley Hospital Board. She taught 4-H clubs for 27 years and was always found to be a friend to everyone, especially young folks.
She helped her husband Hemi run the Smoot store and always kept a beautiful yard with flowers everywhere. She was famous for her crocheted baby booties that numbered in the thousands of pairs. She enjoyed a trip with Hemi to the New Zealand Temple dedication in 1958 and also a trip to the New York World's Fair and church historical places.
She is survived by her daughters, Mrs Wendell (Ened) Crossley, Smoot, Mrs Dix (Vonda) Bateson of Murry, UT and son James P. Crook Iona, ID; 17 grandchildren 33 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren and one brother Harold F. (Scott) Peterson of Provo, UT.

Crook, Rula Jannett Peterson (3 Jun 1993)Star Valley Independent

Rula Jannett Peterson is the daughter of Charles Henry Peterson and Mary Nelson Bruce
Rula Jannett Peterson married Rulon James Crook 01 JUN 1921 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah