Saundra Kay Peterson

Saundra Kay Peterson, 73, of Ottawa, Kansas passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Born November 11, 1942, she was the daughter of Ernest Rudolph and Eathel Lottie (Smith) Johnson.  She spent her childhood in Ottawa and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1960.   In 1961, she was united in marriage to Donny M. Peterson on the 7th of April.  They shared 36 years of marriage prior to Donny's death in November of 1997.  Donny and Saundra were both lifelong residents of Ottawa.  In her early adulthood, she was employed by the Kansas Telephone Company as a billing supervisor.  Shortly thereafter she was hired by Trinity United Methodist church as the church secretary, which allowed her to be available for her kids as a young mother. Saundra spent the majority of her adult life as a secretary for the Franklin County Extension Council, where she worked until her retirement in 2012.  Additionally, for many years she served as a fair secretary each summer during the Franklin County Fair.  Saundra loved and served God her entire life.  She had a strong faith as a United Methodist and was always very involved in church activities at Trinity and First United Methodist Church.  These included Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth groups, choir, and handbell choir.  She also served as piano accompanist from time to time.  Saundra was a lifelong learner who enjoyed many activities such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, reading, and music.  Later in life she and her partner, Fred Potter, enjoyed square and line dancing, bicycling, watching sports, and travel. Up  until her recent cancer diagnosis, she was an active and vibrant lady. Even through her short but intense illness, she maintained a positive attitude and a bright spirit.  Saundra was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Donny (Pete) Peterson. She is survived by her son Eric Peterson, her daughter-in-law Kathryn (Webb) Peterson, and her two grandchildren Haleigh and Ashley Peterson all of Burlington Kansas.  She is also survived by her daughter Michele (Mitzi) Kurimsky and her son-in-law Todd Kurimsky of Overland Park, Kansas.  A celebration of Saundra's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16 at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory in Ottawa, Kansas. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.  The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at Lamb-Roberts.  Memorial contributions may be made to www.kucancercenter.org with a designation for outpatient and inpatient cancer care.  The family would like to give a special thanks to palliative and oncology doctor teams, as well as the nurses and staff from units 45 and 66 at KU Med Center for the compassionate care given to mom in her final days. Condolences may be sent to family through www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Saundra Kay Peterson please visit our Sympathy Store.

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