Sidney G. “Sid” Pehrson
Date: 08/23/2026

Sidney G. Pehrson was born on January 14, 1945, to Sidney Pehrson and Sarah Delvora Gurney. He was raised on the family ranch in Vernon, Utah, as part of a loving, hardworking family. The ninth of eleven children, Sid grew up helping on the ranch, riding horses, and enjoying an idyllic cowboy childhood surrounded by siblings, cousins, and extended family. He treasured his parents, dearly loved each of his brothers and sisters, and maintained close relationships with his nieces and nephews throughout his life. To Sid, there was no distinction between immediate and extended family—they were all simply family.
Sid attended Vernon Elementary School before graduating from Tooele High School in 1963. In 1965, he was called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Andes Mission, where he served in Peru. His mission left an indelible mark on his life. He loved the people he served and cherished the experiences he had there, proudly using his Spanish throughout the rest of his life.
After returning home, Sid completed his education at Utah State University, earning a degree in Geological Engineering and becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. He went on to enjoy a distinguished career overseeing the construction of freeways, airports, hospitals, government housing, and military installations. His work took him across the country, where he lived in several states and managed large-scale projects spanning many years.
While working in California, Sid reconnected with Tiiu Teemant. In 1976 they were married and sealed in the Manti Utah Temple. He lovingly adopted Tiiu’s young daughter, Annela Buffin, as his own. Together they welcomed three more children: Riina, Sidney Michael, and Rand, and they also raised their oldest grandchild, Aili. Family was everything to Sid, and he truly lived by the motto, " The more the merrier." Nothing brought him greater joy than being a husband, father, and grandfather.
Though he carried significant responsibilities in both his career and his church service, Sid always made his family his highest priority. He filled their lives with adventures, whether road-tripping across the country, scuba diving off Catalina Island, relaxing at the family cabin, deep-sea fishing in the Dry Tortugas, exploring the castles of Europe, or simply camping in the backyard. He believed that any experience was better when shared with the people you loved, and he gave his family not only wonderful experiences but his time, attention, and unwavering love.
Sid had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. He was known for organizing memorable family reunions and church activities that strengthened friendships and built lasting memories. He devoted decades to Scouting and loved serving with the Young Men, especially alongside his sons. Blessed with a quick wit and a contagious laugh, he was a gifted storyteller who could make any gathering more joyful.
In 2008, Sid paused his career to serve another mission this time alongside Tiiu in the Baltic States Mission. They served in Tiiu’s native Estonia, where Sid embraced the challenge of learning Estonian while sharing the gospel. They formed lifelong friendships during their service, and the mission remained one of the greatest blessings and happiest memories of his life.
Following their mission, they returned home to work for a few more years before retiring to their own little piece of paradise in the Florida Keys. There, Sid delighted in welcoming family and friends to visit, eager to share everything he loved about the Keys. His generous hospitality created cherished memories for countless visitors, and his friends, neighbors, and ward members became an extended family.
During the final two years of his life, Sid and Tiiu moved to North Carolina to be closer to their children and grandchildren. His youngest grandchildren quickly became the light of his life, and he treasured every opportunity to be with them.
Sid passed away on August 23, 2026, following complications from pancreatic cancer. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, his children, his seven grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know him. His legacy of unwavering faith, joyful service, kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm for life will continue to inspire those he leaves behind. He measured his life not by accomplishments, but by the people he loved, the faith he lived, and the memories he created.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Tiiu Pehrson; his daughters, Annela Buffin and Riina Tiiu (Carlos) Gutierrez; his sons, Sidney Michael (Jennifer) Pehrson and Rand Bryant (Kaitlyn) Pehrson; his seven cherished grandchildren: Aili, Heili, Enelyn, Sidney Bryant, Tucker, Clayton, and Maya; and his sister Vicki (John) Smekens. He is preceded in death by his father, Sidney, mother, Sarah Delvora (Gurney), and siblings Sidney Bryant, John Calvin, Florence Elaine, Emma Lou, Jacqueline Delvora, Clayton Gurney, Lois Christina, Leroy Eric and Linda Lee.
While we rejoice in knowing that he has been joyfully reunited with his parents, his nine siblings, and many beloved family members on the other side of the veil, his absence leaves an immeasurable void—and truly, very big boots to fill.
Sid will be laid to rest in his beloved hometown on Saturday, September 5, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the LDS Chapel, 280 Main Street, Vernon, Utah, with a visitation prior from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Interment at the Vernon Cemetery. Friends and family may also watch the service remotely at: tatemortuary.com on Sid’s obituary page.