Obituary of Sophia C. Peterson, Marion County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

MARION COUNTY RECORD, 8 November 2000

Obituary of SOPHIA C. PETERSON

Sophia C. Peterson, 92, died Nov. 1, 2000, at Marion.
Born Sept. 2, 1908, at Lasita in Riley County, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Emily Johnson.
Her mother died when Sophia was 19 months old, and she was raised by her father and grandmother.
She grew up in the community, was a member of the Alert Swedish Covenant Church, and graduated from Leonardville High School in 1926. She then taught rural school for two years.
She was married to Reuben Peterson April 25, 1928. The couple had two daughters, Phyllis and Jo Ann.
They farmed in the Randolph and Blue Valley area for 23 years until entering the motel business at Abilene.
They then moved to Manhattan where they owned and operated a laundry. After retiring, they moved to Randolph where both enjoyed fishing. He died Dec. 15, 1976.
While living in Manhattan they were charter members of Blue Valley United Methodist Church. She was active in WSCS and sang in the choir.
In 1978 she moved to Marion to be closer to family.
Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis and her husband Gene Dettmer of Olathe, and Jo Ann and her husband Charles Kjellin of Marion; a half-sister, Lela MacDowell of Oak Grove, Mo.; a half-brother, Ed "Doc" Johnson of Leonardville; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was a member of Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion, where funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with Pastors John Goering and Marilyn Cox officiating.
Bob Brookens sand "My Jesus I Love Thee" and the congregation sang "Grace Greater Than Our Sin." Anita Brookens was the organist.
Casket bearers were Douglas Kjellin, Greg Bowers, Kenneth Keith, Dale Kelly, Daryl Enos, and Buck Firth.
Graveside services were later that afternoon in Walsburg Cemetery, Leonardville.
A memorial has been established in her name at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.

Transcribed and Contributed by Kenneth Thomas