Betty Peterson, age 81 of Lebanon, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Baptist Health Lexington.

She was born October 11, 1936 in Washington County. She was a loving mother, homemaker, and partner with her husband in building a thriving farm in St. Mary's. After her children were raised, she found continued fulfillment in her work as a secretary for the Marion County Soil Conservation office and later as a tour guide for Maker's Mark Distillery. She was a member of Saint Charles Catholic church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank H. "Cat" Peterson (2011); one son, Scott Peterson; one daughter, Pamela Peterson; her parents, Joseph Scott and Mary Houston Rudd Lanham; one sister, Eleanor Morrison; two brothers, Jimmy and Kenny Lanham.

Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis Schlich (Jim) of Lexington and Lorrie Goodwin (Jack) of Madison, Wisconsin; one daughter-in-law, Virginia Greenwell Peterson Hardesty of Lexington; two sons, John Peterson (Kathy) of Lexington and Dan Peterson (Pearl) of Versailles; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Eunice Ann Nally (Victor), Judy Gordon (Bruce) and Connie Kays (Mike) all of Springfield; two brothers, Joe Scott Lanham (Cathy) of Jamestown, NC and Fred Lanham (Marsha) of Springfield and she had many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Saint Charles Catholic Church, 675 Highway 327, Lebanon. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. David Naylor will preside.
Visitation is 4-8 PM Friday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 PM by Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant.
Memorials may go to the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard c/o Danny Donahue, 80 Melody Dr., New Haven, KY 40051.
Pallbearers are grandsons, Eric Schlich, Jared Peterson, Shawn Peterson, Justin Peterson, Charlie Peterson and John Michael Goodwin.