Phyllis Ann Petersen, 85, of Manhattan, KS, passed away on December 16, 2023, after a devastating progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Phyllis was born on March 23, 1938, in Manhattan, Kansas, graduating from high school in Manhattan in 1955.

Phyllis met her husband, Roger while working as a waitress in Manhattan when he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. They married on March 31, 1961,

Phyllis and Roger moved to Southern California where they raised their three boys Mike, Bill, and Phillip, in the Southern California area before settling in Bishop, California in 1977 where Roger spent the rest of his career with Southern California Edison. During their time in California, Phyllis would work at various bookkeeping positions while raising their three sons.

Phyllis and Roger spent their time in Bishop working, dancing, and being involved in various organizations in the area including the American Legion Post 118 and United We Ride. She loved riding with Roger on their Harley and even had her own motorcycle when they lived in South Pasadena. Dancing was a passion of theirs and Phyllis would mix music for dancing at Plant 4 in Bishop where they would learn new dances like Cowboy Chacha, Swing, Two-step, and various line dances. She also enjoyed playing the organ, even playing on a Mississippi Cruise that she and Roger took after their retirement when they began traveling and seeing the United States. In addition to the river cruise, they took their two sons, Mike, Bill, and their partners for an Alaskan Cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2011. The boys and their parents went on many motorcycle trips and Roger and Phyllis took a solo road trip on their Harley back to their farm in Kansas when they were in their 70’s.

Phyllis was proceeded in death by her parent, Forrest and Magdelena Henton, brothers Don and Eugene Henton, and son Phillip Petersen. She is survived by husband Roger Petersen of Manhattan, KS, sons Michael E Petersen, Sr (fiancée Lisa) of Manhattan, KS, William A Petersen (wife Carrie) of Skiatook, OK, grandchildren, Michael E Petersen, Jr (fiancée Brittany) of California, Ronnie Petersen of CA, Breanna Petersen (husband Jason) of Oregon, Tawni Nolting (husband Matt) of Colorado, and 3 great-grandchildren, Curtis Petersen, Evan Nolting and Ember Nolting.

A graveside Memorial service will be held at East Line Cemetery in Bishop, California on March 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM, where her ashes will be laid to rest by her youngest son, Phillip.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Phyllis’ name to The Disabled Sports of Eastern Sierra for Military and Veterans https://disabledsportseastern… or any Wounded Warriors fund. Raising money through the United We Ride 9/11 motorcycle runs was a favorite thing to do for Phyllis.

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