08/13/2026
💛 A LETTER TO OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, LAZY P FARM FAMILY & OUR COMMUNITY
This is probably one of the hardest posts our family has ever had to write.
For the past four years, our family has quietly been dealing with some very difficult circumstances surrounding our dad, Kim Petersen, and his health. We have gone back and forth about when — or even if — we should share something this personal publicly. But Dad has been a part of this community for more than 30 years and has touched so many lives that we feel it is time to let everyone know where he has been and what our family has been facing.
Many of you know Dad through his longtime career with the Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority, where he served as Director beginning in 1994. He dedicated more than 30 years to Winnemucca, its events, tourism, businesses, residents, and visitors. Unfortunately, his declining health forced him to retire this past December. Our mom retired at the same time so she could be home to help care for him.
Then, this past May, everything changed. Dad's health took a serious turn, and what we had already been dealing with became something none of us were prepared to hear: Cancer.
Dad has been in Salt Lake City since May 4th, receiving care at the University of Utah, and is preparing to undergo radiation treatments through Huntsman Cancer Institute. There are still so many unknowns, and we don't know what the coming weeks and months will bring.
Our mom has been staying in Salt Lake to be near Dad, while our family has been traveling back and forth and doing everything we can to support them, keep things going at home, and take care of the farm. This journey has taken a toll on all of us emotionally, physically, and financially.
Right now, our dad and the time we have with him have to come first. ❤️
For those who know us through Lazy P Farm, the farm started as a family hobby that grew into something we were fortunate enough to share with our community. In 2012, we opened the Lazy P Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, which continued until the COVID year brought that chapter to a close. From the farm also grew another tradition so many of you have come to know and love — the Lazy P Farm of Terror. 🎃 And that brings us to another difficult announcement.
There will NOT be a Lazy P Farm of Terror for the 2026 season.
The haunted house takes months of preparation and our entire family working together. With Dad's treatments, traveling back and forth to Salt Lake City, and the uncertainty surrounding his health, we simply cannot give it what it deserves. More importantly, that time belongs with Dad right now.
For the remainder of 2026, we will honor all Lazy P Farm events that are already booked, but we will not be accepting additional events this year. We can begin discussing reservations for 2027 weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations, and we will continue offering table and chair rentals as we are able. We simply ask for patience and flexibility because our family needs to remain on call depending on Dad's condition.
As for the future of the Lazy P Farm of Terror, we simply don't know yet. Once we know more about Dad's health and what the future looks like for our family, we will make those decisions. Right now, that decision doesn't matter. Dad does.
One of the biggest reasons we are sharing this now is because so many people know and care about Kim. After more than 30 years in this community, there are friends, coworkers, businesses, organizations, and families whose lives have crossed paths with his.
If you know Dad and would like to reach out, please do. ❤️ Send him a message, share a memory, tell him a story, make him laugh, or simply let him know you're thinking about him. If you would like to visit, please reach out to one of us first so we can coordinate around his treatments and how he is feeling.
And to everyone who already knew what our family was facing and has quietly stood beside us — thank you. Thank you for the calls, texts, prayers, encouragement, help at home and at the farm, checking on Mom and Dad, and simply asking what you can do. Your kindness has meant more to our family than we could ever put into words.
We know this news will come as a shock to many. We kept this private while we tried to process everything ourselves, protect Dad's privacy, and navigate what came next. But we now feel that the people who love him and have been part of his life deserve to know.
We ask for kindness, compassion, prayers, positive thoughts, encouragement, and understanding as our family faces what comes next. We will share updates when we are able. Until then, we are taking this one day at a time, surrounding Dad with as much love as possible and putting our family first.
Dad has spent more than 30 years serving this community, bringing people together, helping others, and creating memories for so many.
He's spent a lot of his life being there for other people. Right now, it's our turn to be there for him. 💛
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving our dad and supporting our family. Please keep Kim Petersen and our entire family in your thoughts and prayers. ❤️
The Petersen Family
Lazy P Farm & Lazy P Farm of Terror
