Gloria Evangeline Peterson

Gloria Evangeline Peterson, 88, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 16th, 2010, at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab. Her death followed a week to ten days of failing health. She was born on May 19th, 1922, in the home of her parents, Swan Maurice and Emma Matilda Sjogren. She grew up and went to school in Kiron, leaving only briefly to get a teaching certificate at Wayne State College in Nebraska. She returned to Kiron, living with her parents and teaching at country school. On June 12th, 1946, she married J. Kenneth Peterson, again in her childhood home. They made their home on a farm north of Kiron, raising three children, Terrilyn (08/17/1947), Carol (03/06/1951) and John (10/11/1952) She was preceded in death by her parents, Swan and Emma Sjogren, her two brothers Harold and Adelbert Sjogren, her daughter Terrilyn and her husband Kenneth, in 2008, after 62 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Carol Schlappi of Kiron and John Peterson and his wife Linda of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Kevin and Darin Schlappi of Deer Creek, Illinois, and Matthew and Daniel Peterson of Cedar Rapids; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. She is also survived by former son-in-law Don Patchin; his wife, Lorinda; and their children Howard and David Patchin and Suzie Davis, along with their spouses and children. She seldom left her community, even more rarely, Iowa, centering her life around church and family. She came to faith in Christ early in her life, and never wavered. She enjoyed singing hymns around the piano and playing bingo with prizes after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. She was known for never sitting down to eat, always waiting on others. She left the world a little better place for having passed through it. Visitation will be at Pfannebecker Funeral home in Denison from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 22nd. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Kiron at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010, with Pastor John Aiken officiating. Music for the service will include soloist, Wanda Larson, singing “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and the congregation singing “When We All Get To Heaven” and “At The Cross” with Mrs. John W. Larson serving as accompanist. Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin and Darin Schlappi, Matthew and John Peterson and David and Howard Patchin. Interment will be at the Kiron Cemetery. Lunch will follow services and the interment at the church. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.