Peggy Ann Jernberg

Peggy Ann Wheeler was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on April 3, 1932. She was welcomed by her mother and father, Harry Wheeler and Winifred Beam Wheeler and her 5-year-old brother, Richard. The family lived in Irwin, Idaho, where her father operated a cream station and cheese factory.

When Peggy was about 6 years old, the family moved to Idaho Falls. The move did not work out and her father left the family. Due to polio crippling Peggy’s mother, they had to move in with Winifred’s mother, Nellie Beam, in Idaho Falls. Peggy’s mother (Nana) was a wonderful, nurturing woman who devoted her life to her children and grandchildren.

Peggy attended public school in Idaho Falls for 12 years. This long association with other students resulted in some great friendships. While at I.F. High School, she met Ben Jernberg and, after they graduated, they were married on Sept. 8, 1950. They both worked in Idaho Falls for a few months before moving to Mud Lake, Idaho. Ben worked with his father, farming and raising cattle for 20 years. Peggy said she married into a great family when she became a Jernberg. She loved Ben’s parents and sisters very much. During this time they had five children: Kristine Ann Rising (Bob), Kathryn Sue Kutzman (Jerry), Mary Louise Covey (Chuck), Patricia Lyn Barnes (Tim), and David Jernberg.

Peggy was very active in the community, working with the students and her church. She taught Sunday school and played the organ for the Mud Lake Community Church. She and a group of friends (The Hatemulemos) started the first kindergarten program in Mud-Lake. Later, she was one of the first women elected to the Jefferson County school board, where she started the ball rolling to separate West Jefferson from the other side of the county. The friends she made in the Mud Lake area were the best of friends for a lifetime. They tried to get together each summer at Wade Lake for their “ladies camp out.”

The Jernberg family moved to Bozeman in 1969 and Peggy worked in the office of the Bozeman Livestock Auction, where she and Ben were part owners. In 1976, they moved to Billings to be close to the large livestock markets. Peggy worked at many jobs during her lifetime. Her first full-time job was in banking with the Bank of Idaho. Then she worked in accounting at the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) west of Mud Lake where work was being done on developing the nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, and a rumored secret project involving an atomic airplane that was canceled by President Kennedy due to extreme cost. She also kept books for Hill Milling company in Mud Lake. She always loved accounting, and kept the books for B&J Cattle Company owned by Ben Jernberg and Don Burtenshaw. She also worked for several years for financial brokerage firms, becoming manager of operations at the Billings office of Shearson/American Express. She loved the financial business and loved that job most of all.

In 1994, Ben and Peggy bought a small house in Surprise, Arizona, and spent the winters there and summers in Billings. Ben passed away on Father’s Day 2007 and, in 2011, Peggy moved into the Mission Ridge retirement community, spending her golden years enjoying social activities, especially her bridge club. In 2019, Peggy suffered a minor stroke that robbed her of her eyesight. No longer able to enjoy her favorite hobbies like playing cards and reading, Peggy decided to purchase a small patio home where she lived with the aid of her son David.

Peggy died peacefully on July 1, 2022. A graveside service will be held on a date to be determined.

Peggy was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and was blessed with five children, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ben Jernberg; her brother, Richard Wheeler; and her granddaughter, Becky Rising Hearn. She is survived by her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Any donations can be made in Peggy’s name to the Mud Lake Community Church.