Peggy A. Stenstrom, 93, of White City, Kansas, passed away on March 7, 2024, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas.
Peggy was born February 26, 1931, and raised west of White City along the “mighty Mulberry creek” as she called it.
She said her father told her to be careful of the people that lived east of town, but she found Larkin and was happily married for 61 years. They were married at St. Rose Catholic Church in Council Grove on May 29, 1954.
Peggy was a dedicated teacher. She began her teaching career in a two room school house in Skiddy, Kansas. Peggy eventually graduated from Emporia State Teachers college and earned her Master’s through evening and weekend classes.
She moved on to teach in White City focusing mainly the on 6th, 7th and 8th grade, usually teaching math and science.
She loved the times with Larkin in Idaho when he served in the Air Force. It was a difficult decision for them to leave the service and Idaho, but they did when Larkin was needed at home on the farm. She embraced teaching during the day and helping on the farm during evening and weekends when needed and always during the summer. When she retired from teaching they continued to farm until they retired in 2011, when Larkin’s health would not allow them to continue. She stayed by Larkin every day when he was moved to a care facility until his passing in 2016.
She was an avid card player and loved to garden and mow. She was always anxious for spring when she could plant her flowers and enjoy them from her back porch. She always had a black dog at her side as her companion. She loved her travels with her family and always felt like a princess when on a cruise ship.
Peggy’s greatest joy was her family. No matter what was going on at school or on the farm, she was always there for her family. She loved hunting season when “her boys” were always there for a few days to spoil and brought unbelievable joy to Christmas when she could host and cook for everyone on Christmas Eve. When her birthday rolled around her preference was to prepare a meal for her family, as they were the gift she loved the most.
She is survived by her two sons, Dr. Mark Stenstrom and his wife Debra of Junction City, Kansas and Dr. Mike Stenstrom and his wife Dr. Kristol of Shawnee, Kansas; five grandchildren, Jeremy Stenstrom and his wife Jamie, Megan Stenstrom, Sofia Stenstrom, Arik Stenstrom, and Kjell Stenstrom; three great-grandchildren, Grayson Stenstrom, Gehrig Stenstrom, and Grisham Stenstrom.
Peggy was preceded by her loving husband and her parents.
A visitation will take place at the Johnson Funeral Home, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. followed by a rosary from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Thursday, March 14, 2024, 10:30 a.m. officiated by Fr. Frank Coady.
The committal service will be on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the White City Cemetery, White City, Kansas officiated by Fr. Kerry Ninemire.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to the White City Public Library, 111 E MacKenzie St, White City, KS 66872.