“Rev. Kenneth James Peterson was born December 1, 1942 in Colville, Washington to Theodore Valfried Peterson and Bernice White Peterson. He passed away at home in Newport News, Virginia on December 16, 2019 at age 77.
In 1968 Ken graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. After graduation he worked at King’s Gardens and went on to graduate from Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1973. While there he assisted at Alberta Mennonite where he was licensed. Ken was ordained into the Mennonite Church December 2, 1973 by Dr. Nobel Sack at Menno Mennonite Church.
While serving as a summer assistant at First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen, Idaho he met his wife, Carol Kosanke. They were married on August 24, 1973. Ken and Carol went on to serve as pastors at nine churches over the course of 45 years:
Ken retired from full-time ministry on January 31, 2018. Over the years He served in many church conference positions including President of the Pacific District Conference (1986-1989). With a beautiful singing voice Ken loved to share his gift of music with others. Throughout his ministry he presented “Sermons-in-Song,” often accompanied by his daughter, Elizabeth. He attributed the idea for these "Sermons-in-Song" to his experience in the Northwest College Concert Choir directed by Dorothy Amundson.
Ken was an avid reader and collected about 3,000 books of all types. He particularly loved reading Bible commentaries. In 2012 he wrote, "I love to be close to God in daily, unhurried devotions with Christ and the Bible. Daily Bible reading, prayer, and meditation keeps my spiritual life renewed, and my enthusiasm for ministry fresh." He loved meeting people wherever he would go.
Ken valued time with his imitiate and extended family and would guard his time off and vacations. He loved the National Parks and visiting special places all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti and even Europe. Ken’s favorite places on earth was Yosemite National Park, CA.
Ken is survived by his wife, Carol and two daughters, Elizabeth (Jeff) Trayner of Tracy, California, and Angenette Hatheway of Conroe, Texas. He is also survived by two grandchildren Tiffany (Joe) Galbraith of Whitefish, Montana and Nick Hatheway of Kansas; a sister, Beverly Leinweber of Willingboro, New Jersey; a brother, Larry Peterson of Long Beach, California; a brother-in-law David (Cindie) Kosanke of Murray, Utah and numerous nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, a sister Barbara Pazer, and two brother-in-laws, Ken Leinweber and Harry Pazer.
[posted 04/15/2021]