Kristin Marie Peterson
Kristin “Kris” Marie Peterson, age 60, an extraordinary teacher that loved and supported all her students, passed away at home on May 19, 2025. Kris was born October 21, 1964 in Marquette, MI to Donald Rouker and Hazel Marie Salonen Rouker. As a child, Kris loved softball and basketball, eating M&M’s and spaghetti, playing outside, playing the French Horn, and was very talented at sailing. Kris was always known for her kindness and desire to follow the rules. A graduate of Gladstone High School in 1982, she then attended Adrian College where she earned her teaching degree in mathematics and she was the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree, a definite point of pride for Kris. While at Adrian, she was a resident advisor where she met her lifelong friends Beth and Gina. Kris landed her first teaching job at Romulus High School in 1986. The thing she disliked the most was that the lunch ladies would always charge her the student rate for her lunch, because, due to her small stature, they did not believe she was a teacher. The following school year, Kris began her career of teaching at Olivet High School. Over her 33 years of teaching, Mrs. Peterson impacted thousands of students as a mathematics and calculus teacher, softball coach, volleyball coach, academic recovery teacher, Sunday school teacher, and the greatest cheerleader for any student who wanted to succeed. Kris was recognized as an influential educator by her students many years, and received Walmart Teacher of the Year recognition and the Influential Educator Award several times.
Kris met Burt Peterson in Ypsilanti, and in July of 1990 they were married. The couple adopted three children, all of whom she gave her whole life for. Paul, Amanda (Jaysen), and Matthew were the absolute center of her happiness. Kris helped with homework, spent hours watching sports from the stands, attending performances at Wharton Center with Amanda, played outside for hours, and provided her children with any opportunity they needed to reach their dreams. She was the kindest soul on earth.
Kris is survived by her husband of 35 years, Burt; her children, Paul, Amanda (Jaysen), and Matthew; father, Don (Joanne) Rouker; sisters, Leana (Jimmy) Davison, Penni Young (Dan), and Lysa (Dan) Stockwell; mother-in-law, Betty Peterson; brothers-in-law, Steve and Chris (Suzanne) Peterson; many nephews, nieces, great nieces; aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Kris was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Rouker; grandparents; and her sister-in-law, Julie.
Friends and family are encouraged to remember Kris by sharing memories on her Tribute Page. Funeral services were on Wednesday, May 28, 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 27, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Kris’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Donations in her memory may be made to The Parkinsons Foundation, Olivet High School Scholarship, or Peace Lutheran Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.