Myrna Kay Peterson, 86, longtime resident of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, at Lifepath Hospice in Sun City Center, Florida. She had recently moved to Florida to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Beverly Peterson.
Myrna was born February 23, 1940, in Clayton, Kansas, to Oscar and Lila Garton. After her mother remarried Glen Corcoran, Myrna grew up in Atwood, Kansas, where she was raised by her grandparents, Bud and Mary Gallatin, after her mother’s death. She shared her childhood with her half-brothers, Gary and Larry Corcoran.
Myrna attended Atwood High School before continuing her education at Brown Mackie College in Salina, in secretarial studies.
In 1960, Myrna married the love of her life, David Lee Peterson. He was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base where their son, Douglas Rollin Peterson, was born in January 1961. When Douglas was five years old, the family transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota, where their daughter, Deborah Kay “Debbie” Peterson, was born in 1966.
Following David’s military service, the family returned to Salina, the community Myrna would call home for much of her life. They lived on Plaza Drive and Winn Road for over 50 years.
Throughout her working years, Myrna built a career that reflected her strong administrative and organizational abilities. She worked for the City of Salina, Beechcraft, Metropolitan Life, and the Episcopal Diocese of Central Kansas. She valued her work and the many friendships and relationships she developed throughout her career and within the Salina community.
Myrna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her greatest passion was raising her beloved dogs. Her dedication to them was proven as she would drive to McDonalds and Wendy’s for their nightly hamburger and chicken nuggets.
Myrna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Lee Peterson; her daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Peterson; her half-brothers, Gary and Larry Corcoran; her stepfather Glen Corcoran, her father, Oscar Garton, and mother, Lila Garton Corcoran.
She is survived by her son, Douglas (Beverly) Peterson of Sun City Center, Florida; three grandchildren, Matthew Douglas (Amber) Peterson of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Dana (Matthew) Capadarco of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania; and Jasmine (Matthew) Peterson of Salina, Kansas; and two great-grandchildren, Adelyn and Logan Peterson of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
While her earthly journey has ended, Myrna’s legacy lives on through her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives were touched by hers.
A graveside service will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina KS at 5 PM. She will be buried next to her greatest love, David. Memorials can be sent to the ASPCA in support of her love for dogs.