Susan Peterson

Susan Garver Bolte Peterson, 80, passed away November 20, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, surrounded by family.

Susan was born June 23, 1945, to James and Virginia (Carson) Garver, in Richmond, Virginia.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, musician, and friend to all, Susan grew up in Kansas and graduated from Severy High School (Severy, Greenwood County) before attending Kansas State University. Her curiosity and zest for learning continued throughout her life, leading her to pursue an eclectic range of interests, including accounting, Ryukyu Kempo self-defense, entrepreneurship, woodworking, and American Red Cross lifeguard training.

Susan discovered a passion for wheat weaving when a friend needed one more student for a class. What began as a favor quickly became an extraordinary talent. She developed her own patterns, taught classes, published books, and became recognized for her skill. In 1993, she was invited to create wheat-woven angel ornaments to adorn the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room—an honor and joy she cherished. Substitute teaching, truck driving, and bus driving rounded out her many talents.

Susan enjoyed being an Amway Independent Business Owner. She and Harvey started their business within a month of being married. Susan had dreams of being able to travel. Their business gave them the time and opportunity to visit family, engage in long-term projects, and help both sets of aging parents. Susan became an avid motorhome owner. She loved seeing the USA. She drove, or was the co-pilot, for more than 230,000 miles. Following the seacoast and checking out every beach possible became a winter standard. This led to taking cruises, which meant nice people preparing fancy food and doing the cooking, cleaning, and driving. One favorite was a Gaither Family Reunion cruise that was filled with the same music Susan played for years at her church home in Leoti.

Susan was married to Al Bolte on February 14, 1965, with whom she had two children, Sarah and Seth. The Boltes were divorced in 1992.

Susan entered into her second marriage on September 8, 1995, when she wed Harvey Peterson in Westminster, CO.

Susan is survived by her husband, Harvey Peterson; children, Sarah Chun (Kenny) and Seth Bolte (Erin Dahlin); grandchildren, Abigail, Philip, Timothy, and Amelia Chun, and Aidan and Avery Bolte; siblings, Jim Garver (Melinda), Frank Garver (Ginny), Lucy Reid (Mike), Francie Copeland (Bill), and Dan Garver (Sue), as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Fellowship Church in Leoti, Kansas, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Tod Anthony presiding. Inurnment will follow at the Leoti Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wichita County Community Foundation, PO Box 135, Leoti, KS 67861.