Gladys Mae Peterson

Gladys Mae Peterson, 87, of Concordia, KS passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Gladys was born March 12, 1934 to Octave and Etta (Chaput) Istas on a farm near Aurora, KS.  She attended Country School District 18 and graduated from Concordia High School in 1951.  She loved growing up in rural Kansas and enjoyed the simplicity of time on the farm.  Gladys was one of fifteen children and had fond memories of sharing her childhood with her brothers and sisters.  Gladys married Robert E. Peterson on June 1, 1955 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia, KS.  The couple experienced 66 wonderful years of love, laughter, traveling, dancing and adventuring together.  To this union, one daughter, Pamela Ann was born.

Gladys was a homemaker; a meat wrapper for Boogaart’s and worked at Palmquist Drug Store for over 30 years until her retirement.  After retirement, Bob and Gladys opened Jamestown Jewels and Junk in Jamestown, KS where Gladys served many of her homemade baked goods.  Gladys also enjoyed working part-time at the Catholic Thrift Shop after her retirement.

Gladys enjoyed cooking, baking, canning and keeping her house tidy.  She loved making baskets of homemade candy, jellies, cookies and breads at Christmas time and sharing these with friends and family.  Gladys was a very giving person and always offered to help family, friends, neighbors and anyone in need.  Gladys expressed her love and kindness through generously cooking and baking for others.  She found joy in giving more than receiving.  Gladys was the happiest when she had prepared a meal for her family and friends to enjoy together.  She loved family gatherings and visiting with her friends.

Gladys was a member of OLPH Catholic Daughters, Catholic Church Alter Society, Cloud County Health Center Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Women of the Moose and a lifetime member of the VFW.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Bob Peterson, daughter Pam (Bryan) Deal, granddaughter Rio (Spencer) Brown, grandson Lex Deal, great-grandchildren Maklen and Merett Brown and Isla Deal, sisters Ella Mae (Richard) Kimmal, Theresa (Jim) Peltier and many special nieces, nephews and friends.  A special thank you to her niece, Debbie Honeycutt, for all she did in taking care of Gladys.

She was preceded in death by her parents Octave and Etta (Chaput) Istas, brothers Eldon, Art, Melvin, Bill, Pat, Buck and Verle, and sisters Marceline, Pauline, Clara, Neoma and Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 27th at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia, KS with Father David Metz officiating.  A Rosary Service will be at 9:30 a.m. prior to the mass.  Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Jamestown, KS.  Family and friends are welcomed to gather for a luncheon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall following the burial.  Visitation will be held Sunday, September 26th from 1-8 p.m. at Nutter Mortuary with the family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to Kindred Hospice or O’Connor Animal Shelter of Concordia, KS in care Nutter Mortuary. For online condolences, please visit www.nuttermortuaryconcordia.com