Donald "Don" Victor Peterka

Donald “Don” Victor Peterka, of Wilson, KS, passed away on July 1, 2024, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS, at the age of 83. He was born at his childhood home on September 3, 1940, to Victor and Theresa (Farney) Peterka in Lincoln County, KS. He married Alice Schmidtberger on June 4, 1966, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, KS.

Don grew up in Wilson and attended the Margaret one room schoolhouse through elementary school. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1958. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1962. Don worked as a welder for the Ellsworth Highway Department, farmer, and in the oil field for a few years.

Don was an American Legion Commander for 7 years and led the rosary at the nursing home monthly for 14 years for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He enjoyed track and field, KU Jayhawks, and helping with Wilson Boy Scouts for many years.

Don is survived by his wife, Alice of the home in Wilson; son, Joe (Ann) Peterka of Mansfield, TX; siblings, JoAnn Steinle of Wilson, Loyola Anschutz of Wilson, and Kathleen Merkel of Russell, KS; two grandchildren, Allison and Kate; and one great-grandson, Beau.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Theresa; and siblings, Elaine Shaw and Eugene Peterka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial will follow at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, 6-8PM with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7PM at the funeral home in Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to St. Wenceslaus Church – Heating & Air or Masses and American Legion Post 262 and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.