Kenneth K. Peterson, 89, passed away on April 7, 2026. Born July 31, 1936, in Bismark, North Dakota, Kenneth was brave, hard-working, devoted, adventurous, and beloved, and his life reflected a steady commitment to family, faith, and the work set before him.
Kenneth resided in Leona, Texas, in his final season of life.
Kenneth graduated from Guthrie, MN High School in 1954. He entered the United States Army on October 27, 1961, later joining the Army Reserve on August 6, 1962, and was discharged in March 1965. Following his service, he went to work at Morgan Drive in Elkhart, Indiana. In 1967, Kenneth met his wife, Kathleen, in Elkhart, Indiana, and they were married on May 8, 1968. Together they built a family that became the center of his life. Kenneth and Kathleen had four children: two sons, William and Ralph and two daughters, Patricia and Margaret "Peg".
After leaving Elkhart, Kenneth moved to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where he purchased a 380-acre dairy farm. He taught his children the value of responsibility and perseverance through daily life on the farm—milking cows, baling hay, combining wheat, cleaning barns, caring for animals, and learning to drive farm equipment and cars. With his family, he built a pop-up camper and made treasured trips to various lakes, Yellowstone Park, and the Smoky Mountains, among other destinations. He also gave his time to others by coaching the church softball team and a girls basketball team. After the children were through school, Kenneth transitioned from farming to shipping on oar boats on the Great Lakes. When he retired from the oar boats, he and Kathleen purchased their first travel trailer and spent six years traveling the country. After those years on the road, they settled in New Caney, TX, where they built a house on park property for themselves. After Kathleen passed, Kenneth went to stay with his children. In June 2025, he moved to Leona, TX, where he resided until his passing.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Justus Peterson; mother, Ethal Bates Peterson; wife, Kathleen Peterson; brothers Jack, Jerry, Lee and Donny Peterson; son Ralph Carrothers; son-in-law Keith Mitchell; and grandchildren Robert "Bobby" and Amanda.
He is survived by his son, William Carrothers and wife Denise and and two daughters, Patricia Michell and Margaret "Peg" McDonald and husband Alan and his brother Calvin Peterson and wife Eunice. He was the proud grandfather of his grandchildren: James, Rachel, Kenny, Andrea, Jeff, Chantel, and Kathleen; and the proud great grandfather of twenty great grandchildren: Brandon, Laurel, Michael, Jacob, Makayla, Haley, Alexandrea, Zoe, MaKenna, Makynlee, Logan, Chase, William, Natalie, Kelly, Briana, Jennifer, Timmy, Jacob, Karrie. He was also blessed with four great-great grandchildren: Hezekiah James, Christian James, Waylon Keith, Rowan. Kenneth was loved and cherished and will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through his children and beyond.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 East White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas, on April 18, 2026, at 10:00am with a visitation one hour prior.
