PETERSON, Viola "Grace" (Wenger) 1918-2016

PETERSON, WENGER, BENDER, PEVERILL

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 5/14/2017 at 17:43:45

Services:
A celebration of Grace’s beautiful life will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 27th at the Kearns Funeral Service Kimball Chapel; 3146 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, Iowa.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held prior to the service on Tuesday.

Biography--

Viola “Grace” (Wenger) Peterson, 98, passed away peacefully with family on September, 21st at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

Grace was born May 30, 1918 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jesse Wenger and Sarah (Bender) Wenger.

Grace is survived by her son, Robert (Georgia) of Loveland, Colorado; her daughter, Linda (David Felland) of Dubuque, Iowa; her grandson, Randall of Northglenn, Colorado; her granddaughter, Kristi Rodriguez of Fort Collins, Colorado; and one precious great-grandchild, Jonah Rodriguez of Fort Collins.

Grace has been reunited with her beloved husband of 62 years, Moris Peterson, her parents, her brother John Wenger, her sister Mary Elizabeth (Wenger) Peverill, an infant brother, Arthur, and many other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Grace was raised in the Waterloo area and graduated from East High School in 1936. She graduated from Pitze’s School of Beauty and was employed as a cosmetologist for seven years at The Butterfly in Waterloo. As was common during WW II, she became a pen pal with her boss’s nephew who served in the US Navy in the Pacific. Her pen pal became the love of her life, Moris, and they were married in 1944 in Glendale, California. While living in California during the war, Grace was employed as a riveter at an aircraft factory in Long Beach, a true Rosie the Riveter. After moving back to Iowa, Grace and Moris owned and operated Peterson Plumbing and Heating for 20 years in Jesup. After leaving Jesup, Grace and Moris lived in Waterloo for over 30 years. They were both members of the American Lutheran Church in Jesup. Together, Grace and Moris created homes that were always filled with family, friends, food, laughter and love.

Grace was skilled at all needlework and crafting; sewing, crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, quilting and candle-making to name a few. She loved cooking, baking, gardening, canning…and the Iowa Hawkeyes! There were always chocolate chip cookies or other treats waiting for visitors and few people left her home hungry.

Grace and her family wish to thank all those family and friends who have shared their love and laughter with us over the years. A special thank you to the staff at Hospice of Dubuque, Stonehill Care Center and Assisi Village for their love and care for Grace and support for us. And to Grace’s very special caregivers, you gave her joy and friendship that went beyond your job duties and blessed us with your friendship. We will be forever grateful.

Source: Kearns Funeral Service website