Peterson, Thora Jerene Greenfield (1935-2022)

PETERSON, GREENFIELD, BUBNA, HINKLE, FRYE, SPRINGSTON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 7/24/2022 at 13:54:50

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, March 29, 2022/Boman Funeral Home, Webster City, Iowa website

Thora Jerene Peterson, 87, of Dows, Iowa passed away of natural causes on Sunday, February 27, 2022. A celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 on April 2, 2022, at the Missionary Alliance Church in Blairsburg, Iowa. The family has chosen Boman Funeral Home (www.bomanfh.com) to care for their needs.

Thora Jerene began her life journey on January 19, 1935 born to Arend and Gertie Greenfield in Kamrar. She had a happy childhood on the farm. She graduated from Kamrar Public School and went to Waldorf College for her teaching degree. That brought her to Dows as a fourth grade teacher. She loved her students. There she also fell in love with a good looking bachelor.

On June 22, l956, Thora and Dennis Peterson were married. They started their life together sharing a love for each other, Jesus and farming. Both being raised on the farm, they were no strangers to hard work.

They found the Alliance Church in Blairsburg that same year. This was a place that Thora devoted much of her time, working with children and youth, in women’s ministry, and deaf ministry. Thora was known as the Missionary Lady. Her heart and home were open to so many missionaries. She was such a faithful prayer warrior!

She was also a lady that loved her community, being a 30 year member of the Liberty Club, and a hospice volunteer for 9 years. It would take a lot of time to talk about all of her involvements here today.

Thora was a wonderful homemaker! In 1967, the old farm house that their family of five had outgrown, was torn down and a new home was built. That home became a safe, sweet and fun place for many people of all ages.

In 1975 Can and Mun, escaping from their country with their five little children and one on the way, found refuge on the farm.

Here is part of a message received from Tuija, an exchange student from Finland: “I am forever grateful for her. She was kind, firm, loving, knowledgeable, caring…the kind of mom I needed..”

In 1983 they became foster parents. Here is part of a text sent by Anita to her kids..“Hospice called and told us all to come to the care center as they feel Gramma is going home to Jesus today. This is a good thing. She has been waiting for heaven, this is what we believe. I am thankful for her obedience to the mission of serving Jesus. My life, dad’s life and both of your lives have been changed because of Grandma and Grandpa’s answering the call to open their home to a teenage girl with all sorts of problems.”

A Bed and Breakfast in the middle of the country? Yes, Thora did it and loved making many new friends and preparing meals for them.

Thora lived life to the fullest! She faced the challenges of her last years with courage and grace. On Sunday, February 27, 2022 Thora Jerene Peterson finished her earthly journey peacefully in the presence of her family. She was 87 years old.

Thora’s immediate family includes her husband, Dennis; children: JoLee (Tim) Bubna, Rohn (Karen) Peterson, Kristi (Bob) Hinkle, and Anita (Doug) Frye; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; brother, Lyle (Miriam) Greenfield; and sister, Gelene (Larry) Springston. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Janna; brothers Laverne and Arland.