Sandra Ruth Peterson

Sandra Ruth Peterson (née Hunter) was born on March 6, 1939, in Dunlap, Iowa, to Glen and Helen Hunter. The third of four children, Sandy grew up on a hardworking Iowa farm alongside her siblings Bill (Marilyn) Hunter, Shirley (Don) Rawson, and her younger sister and best friend, Marcia “Bits” (Nick) Townsend Nicholls.

Sandy’s childhood was simple and full of love, friendships, church, marked by farm life, 4-H, and her involvement with the Skylarks. She graduated from Blencoe Consolidated Schools in 1957 and went on to attend Graceland College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Secretarial Sciences (1959) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1974).

In 1960, Sandy married the love of her life, Don Peterson, of Perry, Iowa. Together they shared over 65 years of adventure, love, and family. They made homes across the country and abroad, including Lamoni, Perry, Lakewood (Colorado), Aberdeen (Scotland), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Bellevue (Iowa), Anderson (Missouri), Louisburg (Kansas), and Topeka (Kansas).

Sandy and Don raised four children: Lisa (Kevin) Barth, David (Mary) Peterson, Scott (Laura) Peterson, and Lyn (Micky) Rantz. Her greatest joy was her family, which grew to include eleven grandchildren-JD, Heather, Ashley, Jessica, Garrett, Alex, John, Charlotte, Andrew, Taylor, and Brett-and twelve great-grandchildren: Irie, Kingston, Gabriel, Hurley, Mia, Heidi, Reese, Braelyn, Averie, Wells, Bishop, and Olivia.

Throughout her life, Sandy was devoted to serving others. As a nurse, she worked in hospitals, home health, and education, including as a school nurse at the American School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and at Wooden Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland. She also worked as a Parents as Teachers instructor, guiding families with warmth and compassion.

Her giving spirit extended well beyond her career. Sandy volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Louisburg and dedicated countless hours to the Overland Park Arboretum in Kansas, where she served as a gardener, greenhouse team member, and walking guide. She took on leadership roles in both the Arts for Kids and Holiday Luminary Walk events and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2010, receiving the Sapling Award for her outstanding service. She volunteered many hours in the library and lunchroom at Topeka Collegiate School where two grandchildren attended.

Sandy loved to read, travel, explore nature, and learn about the world. She was a passionate genealogist, tracing her and Don’s family roots back to the 1700s in Ireland. She filled albums and notebooks with photos, letters, and memories that captured a life well-lived.

Known as “Nana” to her grandchildren, Sandy brought creativity and joy to every family gathering-organizing nature walks, bird-watching adventures, arts and crafts, and games. She would spend joyous hours planning family reunions and time with loved ones. She cherished the simple pleasures of popcorn with orange juice, camping, traveling, baking, watching British television, and Les Misérables.

A woman of deep faith and open heart, Sandy was raised in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and later found a spiritual home in the Unitarian Universalist congregations of Overland Park and Topeka. She lived her beliefs through love, kindness, patience, and respect for all people, finding joy in connecting with others from every walk of life.

After a four-year illness with dementia, Sandy passed peacefully, surrounded by love. Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Homestead Assisted Living of Topeka, where she spent her final years.

Sandy will be remembered as gentle, patient, loving, selfless, and endlessly giving-a woman whose life was a blessing to all who knew her.

A private family celebration of life will be held. Cards of remembrance may be sent to Don Peterson and Lyn Rantz at 2311 SE Sagis Ct., Topeka, KS 66605.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with service arrangements.

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