Geraldine “Gerry” Jeanette Peterson, 83, of Salina, KS went to her eternal rest September 17, 2026. She was born March 10, 1943, in Damar, KS to Lola and Leo Thibault. She married Roger Lee Anthony Peterson Jan. 2, 1965, and they enjoyed 53 years of love, family, and friends. You would often find the two of them giggling together and thoroughly loving one another’s company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, their infant daughter, her parents, her sister Darlene, and her brother Delmer.

She was a wonderful mother to her three children, Megan Baird and Justin, Roman Peterson and Jeni, Amy Frost and John. The absolute best Nana to Brooklyne, Charlie, Drew, Logan, Courtney, Mason, Ian, and Isaac. There were many Nana sleep overs with all eight having ice cream, popcorn, and swimming to their hearts content. Her very favorite thing was babies. Her last few years she had so much fun with her four great grands, Declan, Lainey, Griffin, and Stella. If there was a baby in the room, they were in her arms.

Gerry and Roger were “parents” to anyone who needed them. They never turned anyone away and the house was always full. Gerry loved having a good time and telling jokes, but if anyone had troubles, she would sit into the wee hours of the night and always had good advice, which was often, “Say your prayers, Mother Mary will take care of it”.

Her real passion was her flowers! Whenever she could not be found, just look outside where she usually had a new flat of plants and was digging in the dirt. When found, her response was, “grab that shovel and dig here.”

Gerry also had so many stories, usually ornery, of her 6 brothers and 5 sisters and life on the farm in Osborne, KS. Many hours were spent with them around numerous tables of Pitch. Wherever they were together, the cards and jokes were always flying.

Every single summer Gerry made sure the whole family headed south to the beach. We would have drinks, play in the sun, and enjoy each other from sun up to sun down for a solid week. She ensured we had so many cherished, amazing beach memories of all of us together…her favorite way to be.

Whether a fan or not, if you were with Gerry on a game day, it was “Rock Chalk Jayhawks” and “Go Chiefs”.

Gerry graduated from Salina Cosmetology School after high school graduation and later became an office manager for various pediatricians in Salina for 30+ years. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Vigil rosary will be Thursday, Sept 24, 6:30pm, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St., Salina. Family will be receiving visitors from 5:30-6:30pm. Funeral mass will be Friday, Sept 25, 10:00am, St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 E Cloud St Salina. Inurnment will follow in All Saints Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Gerry’s name to Catholic Charities, Salina.