Kathryn Alice Peterson

Kathryn Alice (Casey) Peterson was born on November 19, 1922 to John S. and Ellen (Carraghar) Casey in Sacramento, California.  She was the youngest of their four children (sisters Ellen Mier and Ruth Mary Phillips McCormack, and brother John “Jack” Casey), and the apple of the family’s eye.  Kathryn was raised in Sacramento at a time when life was blissful.  Even during the dark days of the Depression, she loved to tell stories about how her beloved parents still let her take her tap dancing lessons, even when money was tight.

Kathryn was a 4^th generation Sacramentan. She grew up in East Sacramento, where her father and uncle built homes next door to one another on 38^th Street with connecting driveways, and raised their families together.  She adored being surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Kathryn had fond memories of her neighborhood and her many, many friends there, and loved to share stories of the fun they had growing up.  Her family was a part of the founding history of Sacramento: the Carraghar family opened Sacramento’s first restaurant, Saddle Rock, in Old Sacramento in 1849 to serve Gold Rush miners. 

Kathryn lived in Sacramento for most of her life.  She attended St. Francis Elementary School and Sacramento High School.  At Sac High, she first set eyes on a handsome upperclassman, and was quickly enamored of John Frawley “Jack” Peterson.  They were formally introduced on a blind date, Jack was smitten by her striking jet black hair and bright blue Irish eyes, and the rest was history.  They were married on February 3, 1942 at Sacred Heart in Sacramento.  The first of their seven beautiful children soon followed. 

Kathryn was a homemaker first, but she was also very involved in Sacramento social and civic organizations.  She taught tap dancing lessons, was a member of the Sacramento Junior League, and was involved in the Junior League Follies in the 1950s.  As a Junior Leaguer, she was instrumental in founding Sacramento’s Fairy Tale Town. She served as a Cub Scout den mother, and loved to take her son, Johnny, to the fire department.  She was also President of the Sacred Heart Mothers Club. While Kathryn managed their home, Jack and their sons were busy as owners and operators of the Village Bottle Shop in the Town & Country Village area.

Kathryn and Jack loved to spend time as a family at their cabin in Lake Tahoe, which they bought in 1952.  Kathryn continued to go there until recent years, and was known among her neighbors and friends as the “Queen of Sacramento Avenue”.  Lake Tahoe was always a special place for her, and is that same special place now for generations of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

After raising their large brood, Kathryn took a job at Kid-E-Korral to keep busy.  She worked there with dear friends, and many of her children’s friends still remember today how they loved to stop in to see her for school uniforms and trinkets.  Kathryn and Jack later enjoyed a retirement full of travel to Ireland, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and a trip to Notre Dame to cheer on the family favorite Fighting Irish.  She was a devout Catholic all her life.  Her love Jack left this world on June 7, 2007, and we know they are dancing together again in heaven right now. 

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand, Mom… Mother… Kathryn… Kate… Katie… Noni Kate...  Toodle-oo.

Helen (Bob, deceased) Swanston of Loreto, Mexico.

• Bob (C.J.) Swanston and great grandchildren Lexi, Bobby
• Marty (Lisa) Swanston and great grandchildren Kelly (Alyssa), Sawyer and great great grandchild Fallon
• Charles (Shannon) Swanston and great grandchildren Brenna, O’Brien (deceased)
• Katie (Dave) Ronquillo and great grandchildren Wes, Cole, Isabel
• Hud Swanston and great grandchildren Charlie, Ryan, Marin, Taylor, Hudson

Nancy (Michael) Elorduy of Gold River, CA.

• Peter (Michelle) Elorduy and great grandchildren Jessica, Jason, Maya

John F. Peterson, Jr. (deceased)

Joan Koewler of Rancho Cordova, CA.

• Kevin Koewler (Jennifer) and great grandchild Chandler
• Craig (Miwon) Koewler and great grandchildren Cooper, Shay

Jim (Debbie) Peterson of Whitefish, MT.

• Claire (Steve) Noble and great grandchildren Lily, Connor, Maeve
• Grace (Steven) Byrd and great grandchildren Elyse, Julia, Liam
• Audrey (Marcus) Duffey and great grandchildren George, Charley, Jane, Ruth
• Jimmy (Claire) Peterson

Ted (Anne) Peterson of La Jolla, CA.

• Jack (Marisa) Peterson and great grandchildren Teddy, Robert
• Bo (Lila) Peterson
• Will Peterson
• Michael Peterson

Michael (Heather) Peterson of Carmichael, CA.

• Sean Peterson
• Madalyn Peterson
• Macey Peterson