KAREN LINN (DUSENBURY) PETERSON
Karen Linn (Dusenbury) Peterson was born May 23, 1939, at Galloway Hospital in Anthony, Kansas, to Benjamin Maurice “Bill” Dusenbury and Doris Beatrice Gates. The family lived in Anthony, Kansas until they moved and founded DuAyr Farm located on the Chikaskia River and the Chisholm Trail.
Her elementary school was a one-room school house out in the county. During high school, Karen performed in many plays and vocal ensembles. She graduated from Caldwell High School, Caldwell, Kansas, in 1956.
She was also active in 4-H, showing the Champion Ayrshire in1955 at the Kansas State Fair. Karen met her future husband, Chester Peterson Jr., while showing her Champion Aryshire “Red Lady” with Chet showing his Champion Brown Swiss “Janny” at the Kansas State Fair. They were introduced to each other when in the special breed champions area Karen’s cow “Red Lady” and Chet’s cow “Janny” were tied too closely together. “Red Lady’s” long horns would hit “Janny” in the neck and shoulder when she tried to eat Janny’s hay. Chet retied “Red Lady” down a bit so she wouldn’t hit “Janny”. Karen came around the stall with eyes blazing at Chet. The rest is history as they later married and had three beautiful children, a girl and two boys, Joy Kathryn, Nels Eric, and Erik Linn Peterson.
Karen went to Kansas State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Home Ec./Journalism Class of 1960. During her time there, was married, had a baby. She was a multiyear member of the touring A Cappella Choir. Karen was the “Ag Student” magazine Women’s Editor with a first place article in a collegiate national contest. She was awarded a number of prestigious scholarships and was invited to join MENSA without taking the prerequisite entry test.
Always thinking herself an artist, Karen went back to school, this time at Bethany College, Lindsborg Kansas, Class of 1970. She then studied Art EducationSecondary at Kansas State University, Class of 1973. She particularly enjoyed studying ceramics under the tutelage of Angelo “Ange” Garzio, an internationally renowned potter. Karen went on to a Master of Science in Audiovisiual Instruction, again at Kansas State University. Furthering her studies, she earned a Ph.D. in 1984 in Library Media/Information Technology. She taught Audiovideo Communications at Junction City High School, Junction City, Kansas, long enough to receive the Teacher’s Bell upon retirement.
Retirement didn’t slow her down. Through the years she traveled to Mexico City and the Mexican pyramids, Hong Kong, Estonia, and even vacationed on an English long river boat in the English countryside.
Among Karen’s many interests, genealogy was a passion. She traced the Dusenbury and Gates lineages especially the Dusenbury back to the 1500s. Among other things, she found she was a D.A.R. four times. She learned that William Penn personally invited her family to move to Pennsylvania, and that the Dusenburys owned a large plot on Long Island, New York. Innovators, forward thinkers, and adventurers were in almost all the branches of her family tree.
Karen as an artist, was successful at whatever medium at which she tried her hand. She could sew, weave, macrame, and batik. She was a great silversmith and a fantastic potter. In her later years, she took her experiences from traveling and turned them into necklaces, bracelets and wine stoppers made with exotic beads.
Karen was an avid SCRABBLE player and would play every chance she got. She also really liked to play dominos because her Daddy taught her. She still played with her Dad’s set. In her later years, Karen would take neat pictures of leafy shadows on the wall, and watch quiz shows (knowing almost all the answers) with her beloved cats to keep her company.
She’s survived by a sister, Susie Brewer (Jim Brewer), Wichita, Kansas; daughter Joy Peterson-Anckner (Joseph Anckner), Newfield, New York; son Nels Peterson (deceased), Lindsborg, Kansas; son Erik Peterson (Karna Peterson), Lindsborg, Kansas;. seven grandsons; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson
Cremation has been chosen and memorial services will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made out to Lindsborg Veterinary Medical Hospital, sent to Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456 in care of Karen Peterson.
For more information or to leave condolences online please visit www.crick-chistiansfuneralhome.com.
