Ethel M. Peterson, 89, died Monday, March 27, 2023, at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City.
She was born on October 31, 1933, the daughter of Henry and Myrtle (Smith) Peterson on Happy Hallow Stock Farm just south of the Hodgeman County line. She was a lifetime resident of Ford County.
Ethel attended Dodge City High School and graduated in 1952. After graduation, she attended Fort Hays State University and received a Masters degree in Counseling. She also did graduate work at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
She was a teacher in the Dodge City and Kismet school districts before becoming the director of counseling for USD 443 in Dodge City. She also taught for Kansas Newman University from 1994 to 1996 when she retired.
Ethel was also a Kansas Legislator in 1996. She was a board member with various organizations including; the NEA, the KNEA, Dodge City Credit Union, CASA, New Chance, Dodge City Community College, Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, and the Dodge City School District. She was also the first President of the Red Hat Society.
She was a member of the Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship.
Her survivors include: her nieces and nephews, Nancy Browne, Judy Byer and husband Jack, Dennis Peterson, Darrel Peterson and wife Vicki, Susan Bristor and husband Randy, Terry Skinner, Vicki Austin and husband Jim, Becky Steinkuehler, Lindy Duree and husband Warren, Kathy Konrade and husband Tom, Sandy Ontiberos, Tammy Schweitzer and husband Randy, Billie Diane Kroeker and husband Richard, Rita Clark and husband Joe, Rhonda Zywicki, , Sheena Wyatt, and John Smith and a nephew-in-law, Eddie Day; numerous great nieces and nephews and numerous great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers, Harry, Victor, Robert and Norman Peterson; 2 sisters, Arlene Dumler and Viola Steinkuehler; 2 brothers-in-law, Herman Dumler and Jiggs Steinkuehler; 2 sisters-in-law, Audrey Peterson and Frances Burkey; a nephew, Mickey Peterson; and 2 nieces, Glenda Crawford and Tonya Day.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be announced and held at a later date. There will be no public viewing as cremation as already taken place.
The family suggests memorials to CASA or the Shade Tree Commission both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas, 67801.