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.

Ken was raised in Colville, Washington and was proud of being an Eagle Scout. He joined the Army in 1960, serving as a chaplain's assistant in Indianapolis, Indiana and Germany. In 1963 he was honorably discharged. In 1968 Ken graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. After graduation he worked at King's Gardens and went on to graduate from Seminary at Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1973. Ken was ordained into the Mennonite Church in 1973 by Dr. Nobel Sack.

While serving as a summer assistant at First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen, Idaho he met his wife, Carol Kosanke. They were married in August 1973. Ken and Carol went on to serve as pastors of nine churches over the course of 45 years: Menno Mennonite Church (Menno, WA) – 1973-1976; First Mennonite Church (Upland, CA) – 1976-1986; Calvary Mennonite Church (Aurora, OR) – 1986-1989; Hutterthal Mennonite Church (Freeman, SD) – 1989-1999; Waldo Mennonite Church (Flanagan, IL) where he merged two congregations to form Prairie View Mennonite Church – 1999-2001; First Mennonite Church (Hillsboro, KS) – 2001-2003; Deer Creek Mennonite Church (Deer Creek, OK) – 2003-2004; Providence Mennonite Church (Newport News, VA) – 2004-2010; Ivy Farms Church of the Brethren (2010-2017). He served in many church conference positions including President of the Pacific District Conference 1986-1989. In 2017 Ken retired from full time ministry.

With a beautiful singing voice Ken loved to share his gift of music with others. Throughout his ministry he would do "Sermons-In-Song," often accompanied by his daughter, Elizabeth. Ken was an avid reader and collected about 3,000 books of all types. He particularly loved reading Bible commentaries.

He loved meeting people wherever he would go. He and his family loved vacations and seeing the United States. In 2018 he was able to go on a family trip of a lifetime to Europe.

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, and a brother, Larry Peterson of Long Beach, California and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Barbara Pazer, and two brother-in-laws, Ken Leinweber and Harry Pazer.

A memorial service will be held December 28, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Williamsburg Mennonite Church with Rev. David Lehman officiating. Please leave online condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com