Vera Mae Peterson Davis

Visitation: From 10:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, Denison, IowaFuneral Services: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa.Place of Interment: Oakland Cemetery, Denison, Iowa.Memorials to: First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa. Vera Mae Peterson Davis was born October 20, 1916, at Monroe in Platte County, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward and Emma Albers Ericson.  She was raised in Genoa, Nebraska, in the country and received her grade school education in Platte County.  She graduated from high school in Genoa, in 1934.  Vera married Kenneth H. Peterson August 15, 1934.   Ken and Vera lived in Nebraska until 1953 when they moved to Denison, Iowa.  Vera was a homemaker and assisted Ken in the furniture business.  After their retirement, Ken and Vera traveled and spent winters in Phoenix, Arizona. Her husband Kenneth preceded Vera in death in 1994, after they had been married for 59 years.  A few years later Vera remarried Bob Davis who died in 2004.  Vera was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, a long-time member of the Crawford County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and a Reach to Recovery Volunteer for the American Cancer Society.  She enjoyed gardening, music, reading, bowling, golfing, playing cards and traveling.  While living in Arizona, Vera once had a hole-in-one.  Two of her favorite memories were a trip to Hawaii in the 1960s and the day she and Ken bought their motor home and began traveling.  Vera died Saturday afternoon, January 5, 2013, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa.  At the time of her death she had been blessed with 96 years, 2 months and 15 days. Including her parents, her husbands, Kenneth and Bob, Vera was also preceded in death by her brother Kenneth E. Ericson and her sister Iona Spartz.  Those remaining to cherish her memory include five children: Kenneth Peterson and wife, Marion “Duckie” of Stamford, Connecticut; Sandra Jean Selleck of Fort Collins, Colorado; Suzanne Ione and husband, Joseph Hnilo of Palo Alto, California; Connie Jo Peterson of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Mary Catherine and husband, Lynn Phillips of Manning, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating.  Music for the service included Sue Rosener singing “In The Garden” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” with Nancy Miles serving as accompanist.  Other selections included the great grandchildren singing “Jesus Loves Me” and a recorded selection of “I’ll Fly Away”.  Pallbearers included Sam Scholten, Dan Bequeaith, Kelly Phillips, Christine Phillips, Lynn Phillips and Stacie Julich.  Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Denison, Iowa.  Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women.  A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa.  The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements. (Note:  Lynn Phillips will read something written by son Kenneth at the service)