Joan Phyllis Ruhnke Peek Peterson, 83, was born August 25, 1941 to Harold and Hilda (Larsin) Ruhnke in St. Joseph, MO. She passed away on July 16, 2025.
She attended Diamond School, a one room school in her first three grades. She moved to Highland, KS and graduated in 1959 from Highland High School. She moved to St. Joseph and attended Platt College. She was employed by Herschman and Douglas, Architects, where she met her husband, Edward Peek. They were married on October 27, 1961. To this union, three children were born. They divorced in 1989.
She worked for LaRon Meats, Missouri Western State University and Car City. She was a member of the Avenue City PTA and Extension Club. At St. Paul Lutheran Church, she was a member of the choir for five years, was a member of the quilting group, and was a member of the St. Paul Lunch Bunch for over 40 years. She was a member of the team from LaRon Meats that made a 500-pound salami that was recorded in the Guiness Book of World Records. She met her husband Donald Peterson in 1997 and they married in 1998. They enjoyed traveling. She visited every state except Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Georgia, went to Canada three times and visited, Switzerland, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England four times. She enjoyed playing cards with friends from St. Paul Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Hilda Ruhnke, her sister and husband, Marcia (Larry) Janzen, her son, Kenneth Peek and stepson, Scott Peterson and brothers-in-law Larry Peterson and Jim Rogers.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Peterson, daughter Stacia (Rick) Gerhardt, St. Joseph, MO, son Jim (Anita) Peek, Topeka, KS, daughter-in-law, Christina Dudley Peek, Kansas City, MO, Sister Susan Rogers, St. Joseph, brother Jim (Marge) Ruhnke, Highland, KS, stepson Chad (Janelle) Peterson, Severn, MD, stepson Jim (Jenny) Sollars, Holden, MO, Grandchildren, Krystal (Duane) Robinson, Topeka, KS, Kyanne Peek, Lebanon, TN, Daniel (Claire) Gerhardt, St. Joseph, MO, Erin (Tyler) Verbick, Hiawatha, KS, Andrew (Jessie) Gerhardt, St. Joseph, MO, Riley Peek, NY City, NY, Kaitlin Peek, Liberty, MO, Jackson Peek, Liberty, MO, step grandchildren Erica (Tracy) Lutz, Josh (Alexis) Sollars, Faith Sollars, Christopher (Danielle) Melton, Morgan (Bill) Few, Nathan Peterson, Blair Peterson, Evangeline Peterson, Sage Peterson, David Peterson, Liesel Peterson, Gavin Dudley, Harper Dudley, Great Grandchildren Kylar Peek, Charlotte Verbick, Nolan Gerhardt, and Joanna Rose Gerhardt, due in October, step Great Grandchild, Mercadies Robinson, nieces and nephews, childhood pen pal and lifetime friend, Phyllis (Ralph) Stelling, Millville, MN.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Thursday, July 24, St. Paul Lutheran Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials will be to the Grip It and Rip It Foundation, founded by Ken Peek or St. Paul Lutheran Church.
