Judith Peterson Knight

Judith Rose Peterson was born to Henry and Clarice Peterson on March 31, 1938, in Harlan, LA. She grew up on their farm near Harlan and attended country school in Fairview Township. She attended Harlan High School, graduating in 1956. In 1958, she married Leonard Kay and immediately after they were married, they moved to Germany where Leonard served in the U.S. Army. While in Germany, their son, Todd Randall (Randy) was born. After his discharge from the service, they moved to Omaha and a few years later, back to Harlan. This marriage ended in divorce.

In December of 1970, she married Clay Sanders of Harlan and they went into farming south of Harlan. They later moved to northern Missouri where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1985, Clay accepted a position as Utilities Manager for the City of El Dorado Springs where they lived for the rest of their lives. Judy worked for Missouri Public Power District for many years and was active in several clubs and activities there. She especially loved to travel and play golf. They spent a lot of time at the Lake of the Ozarks where they had a mobile home and a boat. Both of her sisters and brothers-in-law visited often and they all loved fishing off their dock and boat. She and her sister, Dorothy, took trips to New York City, San Jose, CA, Hilton Head, SC and other excursions on “girls trips.” In 2009, after 39 years of marriage, Clay passed away from heart problems.

Judy continued to live in El Dorado Springs and in 2011 she married Leslie Knight, a long-time friend and neighbor. In 2017, her son, Randy, passed away from a sudden illness. Leslie passed away in 2020.

In 2020, Judy began suffering memory problems and entered Hanson House for Memory Care, first in Harlan and later moved to the Council Bluffs location. She passed away there on Sept. 7, 2025. Judy will be remembered for her sweet, selfless personality and for her life long love of animals. She was always surrounded by numerous cats and dogs. They will all miss her.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Clay Sanders and Leslie Knight; parents, Henry and Clarice Peterson; son, Randy Kay; sister, Monna Juhl; brother, Roger Peterson and brothers-in-law, Jim Juhl and Hugh O’Grady.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Peterson O’Grady – Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren, Russell Kay and Melissa Kay; nieces, Melanie (Clint) McDonals – Logan, LS; Cindy Hansson – San Jose, CA; Holly Peterson – Harlan, IA; nephews, Tim (Carole) Hanson – Geneva, IL, Jerry Juhl – Persia, IA, Jeff (Georgene) Juhl – Harlan, IA and Terry Peterson – Harlan, IA; cousin, Jane Summers – Elk Horn, IA.