Kathleen A. Peterson

Kathy (Files) Peterson was born in Osceola, Iowa on August 11, 1951 and passed away at Phelps County Hospital, Rolla MO at 11:20 pm July 19, 2023 at 71 years of age after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Kathy was the daughter of Annie Amelia (Whitehead) Files and Vernon Files.  She grew up in Murray, Iowa.  She was an active member of the Murray Church of Christ, participating in the Youth Choir, “Christ’s Crusaders.”  She attended the Murray school from kindergarten until graduation in 1969.  She then attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO where she started dating her future husband, Ken Peterson.  They were married at the Murray Church of Christ June 13, 1970,  recently celebrating their 53^rd anniversary.  They were blessed with two children, Amy   and Matthew.

Kathy loved Jesus and His church, traveling, wilderness canoeing and camping, sports, music and of course her family.  She worked for K Mart and as a church secretary in Kentucky, in admissions and as a secretary and bookkeeper for Chadron State College in Nebraska and Western Illinois University in Macomb.  She was an incredible asset as she ministered along side of her pastor husband over 48 years of ministry.  They pastored churches in Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois and did mission work in Kostroma, Russia.  Through those years she blessed and nurtured many, many lives.

Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Vernon Files and her mother Annie Files.  She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband Ken Peterson; children Amy (Kip) Hurst ; Matthew (Maria) Peterson; Sister Dorothy White; Brother Ray (Laveda) Files; Brother Robert “Bo” (Nancy) Files; Half Sister Michele Harvison;   nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends here and in Russia. 

Kathy was a loving, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend and follower of Jesus.  She was a blessing and strength to all who knew her.  She will always be loved and sorely missed. 

A graveside service will be held at the Murray Cemetery, Saturday August 5^th at 3:00 p.m.

Celebration of life services will be held at First Christian Church, Richland MO on Saturday August 12^th at 2:00 p.m. and at Summum Christian Church, Summum IL on Saturday August 19^th at 2:00 p.m. with a meal preceding at 12:30.

The family prefers no flowers, but donations may be made to either:

Ozark  Christian College, 1111 N. Main, Joplin MO 64801   or to

Mission2Russia, Light to the World Academy, P O Box 755, Saint Peters MO 63376