Arliss L. Peterson, age 76, passed away on August 28th, 2019 due to complications from cancer. She was born on October 15th, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN to Willard and Lorraine Bebo. She eloped and married her longtime friend and love, Michael Mack Peterson in December of 1958.
Arliss accomplished much through her determination and personal resolve. After starting her family, she finished high school, received two degrees from the University of Iowa (Secondary Education and Library Science), obtained her agent license and brokerage license for Real Estate and sold successfully for several years.
She was a super Mom and took special care to make each of her children feel love and respect while having fun. Arliss loved to “do” for her family. This was shown through her needlepoint, crocheting, family dinners, special desserts, small notes and – of course – raspberry jelly. Not to mention, she was always there with a kind word, a hug of encouragement or some much needed words of wisdom.
Living in the Grinnell, Iowa area for sixteen (16) years, she worked as a teacher, librarian and real estate agent. She moved back to Estherville for two (2) years helping to run the Peterson family golf course, Riverview, and spend time with her father who was battling cancer at the time.
Opportunities took Mike and Arliss to the Kansas City area in 1982 where they ultimately built Heartland Seating, Inc. A successful and well-respected business which they operated for twenty-four years reflected how Mike and Arliss continued to team up and tackle the world as only they could do.
Retirement allowed Arliss to do the things she loved most: spend time with her family, travel with Mike, putter in her kitchen and, read as many books as her heart desired. In 2017, they moved from their house to Shawnee Village Coop, a senior residence where Arliss quickly made new friends. These relationships grew and there were many who were very supportive through the past months.
Arliss was a kind and thoughtful person whose inner strength was illustrated through her quiet and steady approach to life, her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Mike; her children, Becky Peterson, Brad Peterson (wife, Kathy), Craig Peterson and Jennifer Peterson (fiancée Nathan), her brother and wife Larry & Nancy Bebo; plus, four grandchildren, Andrew Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Jane Peterson and Kyle Peterson.
Please join us celebrating her life on Friday, September 20th @ 10:30 am at Porter’s Funeral Home located in Lenexa, KS. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 20th at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Shawnee, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics.