Jean Kunze Peterson

Jean Elaine (Kunze) Peterson, age 58 of Leonardville, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.

She was born on October 24, 1960 in Clay Center, the daughter of Val Jene and Mildred (Killman) Kunze.  She graduated from Riley County High School, where she was the first female FFA member.  Following high school, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Animal Science at Fort Hays State University.

On October 27, 1990 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center, she was married to Jay Dee Peterson.  He survives of the home.

Jean worked for the U.S.D.A as a program assistant for 30 years, with most being at the State Farm Service Agency in Manhattan.  She was a member of the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and Kansas Horse Council.  She enjoyed farming and ranching, riding horses, working and checking cattle, gardening, painting, photography, playing pool and was a wonderful cook.

In addition to her husband Jay, she is survived by her daughter, Rachael Peterson of Leonardville; her mother, Mildred Kunze of Leonardville; three sisters, Marlene Kunze Dolan and husband Frank of Manhattan, Diane Huffman of Olathe and Jill Reynard and husband Jay of Riley; her brothers and sisters in law, Charlie Peterson of Riley, Jeanette Kidwell and husband Randy of Clay Center, Bernie Peterson of Wamego, Dean Peterson and wife Alex of Wamego and Roxie Baer and husband Dwight of Clay Center and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Val Jene Kunze.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan, with Rev. Michael Schmidt officiating.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center.

Memorials have been established for the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and the Walsburg Lutheran Church Stained Glass Window Fund.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.