In Memory Of
Wilbur Peterson
Wilbur Peterson
WILBUR EARL (PETE) PETERSON
Wilbur Earl (Pete) Peterson born March 5, 1926 to William and Ella Hedahl Peterson at Pickardville, North Dakota, died August 6, 2010 in Olathe, Kansas at age 84. His mother died on March 6, 1926, and Wilbur was raised by his Aunt Marie and Uncle Jens Renden in Manfred, ND.
Wilbur enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve in November 1943. He graduated from Fessenden High School on June 4, 1944. He was called to active duty in July 1944. He was a gunner on a B-29 Bomber crew during World War II. He was discharged on June 27, 1946. He entered North Dakota Agricultural College in the fall of 1946. He graduated from NDAC in June, 1950. While attending NDAC, he was elected to Phi Kappa Phi Educational Fraternity, an honor society of the upper 10% of the senior class in 1950. He entered the University of Kansas in the fall of 1950, graduating with a Master of Education degree in 1952. He did additional graduate work at the University of Kansas and Teachers College, Columbia University.
He married Mary Louise Smith on September 11, 1948. He started teaching in Horton, KS in 1952, became a high school principal in 1955 at Lecompton and Fairview, KS, and then became a superintendent in 1959 in Wellsville, KS, 1963 in Syracuse, KS and 1981 in Belle Plaine, KS for a total of 42 years in the field of education.
Over the years, Wilbur was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, a member of service clubs at various places, and a Mason. In 1973, the Hamilton County Jaycees in Syracuse, KS, named him the "Boss of the Year".
Wilbur enjoyed playing golf, reading, and traveling. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He adored his grandchildren and cherished every moment he spent with them. He will eternally remain in our hearts for his rare combination of wisdom and intellect coupled with love, devotion, faith in God, selfless kindness, humility, integrity, courageous strength, gracious spirit and leadership by example. He was a member of the Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs, MO, being active and serving as an elder several times. He enjoyed watching his favorite teams, the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ervin Peterson; sisters, Margery Peterson Burck, Norma Cook, Marian Cook, Dolores Renden, and Ingrid Marty.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Olathe; sister Margaret Sprague, Mohall, ND; sons, Mark and Becky of Salina, KS, David and Dawn of Austin, TX, John and Melanie of Buckner, MO, Paul and Laura of Olathe, KS; daughter Diane and Tom Hevener of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Ted, Ellen, Michael, Julie, Nicholas, Emma, Waverly, Elise, Treyton, and Erica; great-grandchildren, Riley, Addison and Parker; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Wilbur Earl (Pete) Peterson born March 5, 1926 to William and Ella Hedahl Peterson at Pickardville, North Dakota, died August 6, 2010 in Olathe, Kansas at age 84. His mother died on March 6, 1926, and Wilbur was raised by his Aunt Marie and Uncle Jens Renden in Manfred, ND.
Wilbur enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve in November 1943. He graduated from Fessenden High School on June 4, 1944. He was called to active duty in July 1944. He was a gunner on a B-29 Bomber crew during World War II. He was discharged on June 27, 1946. He entered North Dakota Agricultural College in the fall of 1946. He graduated from NDAC in June, 1950. While attending NDAC, he was elected to Phi Kappa Phi Educational Fraternity, an honor society of the upper 10% of the senior class in 1950. He entered the University of Kansas in the fall of 1950, graduating with a Master of Education degree in 1952. He did additional graduate work at the University of Kansas and Teachers College, Columbia University.
He married Mary Louise Smith on September 11, 1948. He started teaching in Horton, KS in 1952, became a high school principal in 1955 at Lecompton and Fairview, KS, and then became a superintendent in 1959 in Wellsville, KS, 1963 in Syracuse, KS and 1981 in Belle Plaine, KS for a total of 42 years in the field of education.
Over the years, Wilbur was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, a member of service clubs at various places, and a Mason. In 1973, the Hamilton County Jaycees in Syracuse, KS, named him the "Boss of the Year".
Wilbur enjoyed playing golf, reading, and traveling. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He adored his grandchildren and cherished every moment he spent with them. He will eternally remain in our hearts for his rare combination of wisdom and intellect coupled with love, devotion, faith in God, selfless kindness, humility, integrity, courageous strength, gracious spirit and leadership by example. He was a member of the Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs, MO, being active and serving as an elder several times. He enjoyed watching his favorite teams, the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ervin Peterson; sisters, Margery Peterson Burck, Norma Cook, Marian Cook, Dolores Renden, and Ingrid Marty.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Olathe; sister Margaret Sprague, Mohall, ND; sons, Mark and Becky of Salina, KS, David and Dawn of Austin, TX, John and Melanie of Buckner, MO, Paul and Laura of Olathe, KS; daughter Diane and Tom Hevener of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Ted, Ellen, Michael, Julie, Nicholas, Emma, Waverly, Elise, Treyton, and Erica; great-grandchildren, Riley, Addison and Parker; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilbur Peterson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church
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