Afton Elizabeth Fleming

Afton Elizabeth Fleming, 94, passed away Aug. 4 at the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Jan. 24, 1920 in Plain City, Utah, to James Fordhem Peterson and Melissa Blanche (Hodson) Peterson.

Afton attended school in Plain City until she left high school at 16 to marry Arland Bryan Judkins. The couple had two beautiful children together; Patricia Anita Judkins and Darlene Blanche Judkins.

Arland and Afton divorced in May of 1944, and in August 1945, she married Glen Fleming in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Her second marriage brought seven wonderful children: Carolyn, Dale, David, Debbie, Dana and Gary. They lived in Mexico for a short time where Carolyn was born and then moved to New Mexico where the last six children were born. They later moved to the Roseburg, Ore., area where they lived for many years until they divorced in 1980.

Shortly afterwards, Afton moved to Santa Clara, Calif., to live with her two sisters who were widowed. She lived there until both of her sisters passed away. She then moved to Whitefish to be with family.

Afton worked as a waitress for more than 45 years. She loved the social aspect of her job and had many “call” customers who would ask for her when they came in to dine. During her retirement, she was always cooking and taking food to her neighbors who were unable to cook for themselves, or simply in need.

At the age of 65, and after raising nine children, Afton finally had the opportunity to return to school and earn her general education degree, a lifelong goal. She was an avid reader, but more than anything, she loved the game of baseball. She played the game in her youth, and as an adult she watched as much baseball on TV as her busy schedule allowed. Her nickname was “Home Run Pete,” which her friends shortened for her maiden name, Peterson.

Afton was a good friend to many, which in turn earned her many cherished friends. Her great sense of humor will be missed by those who knew her.

She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 90. The church was a great blessing to her in her last few years of life.

Funeral services will be held for her at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Monday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. Her burial will take place in Plain City, Utah, where a family graveside service will be held on Sept. 27.

Afton was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, in addition to three of her children, Patricia Rowland, Darlene Whitfield, and Carolyn Bradshaw. She is survived by her children, Dale Fleming and David Fleming, both of Aloha, Ore., Denise Hawks of Sutherlin, Ore., Debbie Kaltschmidt of Whitefish, Dana Fleming of San Diego, and Gary Fleming of Sacramento. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.