Katherine Dean Peterson

Kathi Peterson passed away at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. Kathi was born June 1, 1946, in Louisville, KY. Some of her life adventures included living in an Alaskan cabin without plumbing, then on a Missouri farm. She taught special needs children after graduating from college with a degree in German but knew her career path lay in a different direction, and eventually she returned to college to pursue a PHD in Psychology. Kathi was a counselor at a Kentucky treatment center and a psychologist in the penal system before opening a private practice focused on psychological testing.

Kathi was an extraordinary person who has left an indelible mark on the lives of many. She had many passions such as spending time with family, learning languages, traveling, social justice causes, book clubs, staying physically fit and charity work. Her dedication to helping others and her intelligence were some of her stronger qualities. She traveled to Kenya twice with All Peoples Unitarian Church to help sponsor an orphanage. Refugee families and international students were frequently welcomed into her home. Russian exchange students lived in her home while her children were in school and Kathi studied and became fluent in Russian. Her love of languages eventually led her to the Ukraine for an extended stay to teach English.

Kathi was preceded in death by her parents Todd and Carolyn Peterson, her sister Lynn and her brother Mark.

Kathi is survived by her husband, Bob Redmon, the love of her life; her loving children and grandchildren, Sojourner Lynn Bixler, Carsyn Frausto, Kylee Bixler and Justin Bixler, Clay Smith (Stephanie), Gavin Smith and Ryder Smith, Todd Smith (Alina), Stephan Smith; step-sons, Timothy Redmon and Daniel Redmon (Kelly), Bowie Spitler, Ryan Redmon; and great-grandchild, Warner Frausto. She is also survived by her brothers, Steve Peterson (Beverley) and Jim Royce; sister, Beth Hensley (Bob) and a host of relatives and friends.

A celebration of Kathi's life will be held at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at All Peoples, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 4936 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, Kentucky 40222.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of donations in Kathi's name to Kentucky Refugee Ministries.

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