Peter, Marian Winifred (Sanborn) 1933 - 2020

PETER, SANBORN, CLEVELAND, PAHL, HUNT, REESE, REICKS, KULOW, ANDREWS, ARENDS, GRAY, COOK, JOHNSON, SMITH, HORNE, MOLLERT, LEE, EIGGLER, BLOOM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/27/2020 at 12:45:50

Marian Winifred (Sanborn) Peter was born on her grandparent’s family farm on July 9, 1933, to Winfield and Agnes (Cleveland) Sanborn of rural Lime Springs, Iowa.

She departed her earthly life on October 16, 2020, at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa. She suffered from Alzheimer’s and coronavirus complications. Marian passed peacefully surrounded by the comforting words and voices of her family near and far.

But alas and alack, / it was over too soon.
It was time to go back / home under the moon.
(Excerpt from a poem by Marian (Sanborn) Peter, 16)

Marian was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs. As a child growing up on the family farm in rural northeast Iowa, she spent her days riding horses with her sisters, assisting her parents with daily chores, and connecting with nearby extended family. She attended country school before transitioning to the Lime Springs Public school, graduating from Lime Springs High School in 1951. Here she met "her guy" and true love, Lloyd Peter. After high school, Marian traveled to Cedar Falls where she graduated from Iowa State Teachers College.

On June 6, 1954, Marian married Lloyd Eugene Peter at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs. Their young married life began with her husband joining the US Navy and serving at Navy bases in California. Marian visited her sweetheart during his time in the service and upon his return to Iowa they began their family, eventually proudly welcoming and raising five children. From their union, the family continued to grow to 13 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Marian and Lloyd were strong believers in the Christian faith, and became active members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, enjoying many different roles and raising their children in the Lutheran doctrine.

Marian was well known as an excellent cook and a loving grandmother. She spent many hours attending her grandchildren’s activities and events near and far. It was her joy and honor to cheer them on and treat them with home-cooked meals and baked goods. Her grandchildren honored her devotion with a dedicated court-side seat at the Crestwood High School gym. Marian often reminisced about her life with Lloyd, raising their five children, and watching them grow within their own families — determining that her family was the pride of her life and marriage, and life had treated her well.

As a young woman, Marian pursued her passion for teaching first at the Floyd Public School system and later at the Chester and Lime Springs Public School systems before committing years at home to raise her young children. After a decade of home life, she began her second career as a transit driver and then manager for the Northeast Iowa Regional Transit System. Marian’s commitment to excellence was acknowledged by the Iowa Public Transit Association with a state award for her outstanding and dedicated service to improving and coordinating public transit services in the community.

Marian enjoyed numerous roles in her community throughout her life. She served as the president of the Lime Springs Legion Auxiliary unit, was a member of the Evans Home Resident Advocacy committee, the Howard-Winneshiek Foster Care review board, the HAWC Partnerships for Children executive board, and a diligent member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, the WELCA and the Lime Springs Community Club. She also enjoyed her time as an Oneota Club member. In 2002, Marian was honored as the Grand Marshall of Lime Springs Sweet Corn Days and rode in the parade with a few of her grandchildren.

One of her most cherished community service experiences was her time on the Howard County Fair board. For over a decade she enjoyed working with the other board members to develop a revered organized event.

Marian is survived by her four daughters, Rebecca (Dan) Pahl of Lime Springs, Elizabeth Peter (Danny Reese, Sr.) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Margaret (Steve) Hunt of Peyton, Colorado, and Barbara (Rob) Reicks of Cresco, and her daughter-in-law Lisa Peter of Mason City, Iowa; grandchildren Joseph (Rachel) Pahl, Benjamin Kulow, Jennifer (John) Andrews, Jason Pahl (Mandy Arends), Molly Gray, Steve (Dusti) Hunt II, Jacob Peter (Carlie Cook), Julian Johnson (Amber Smith), Stephanie Reicks (Dustin Horne), Lauren Reicks, Nathan Reicks, Kristen Reicks, and Clayton Hunt; and nine precious great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Charles Mollert of Saint Charles, Minnesota, sisters-in-law Lorraine Peter of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Marian (Duane) Lee of Sisters, Oregon, and her many nieces and nephews.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Peter of Lime Springs, on July 17, 2002; son Lloyd W. Peter of Mason City, Iowa, sisters Lenora Eiffler of Cresco, and Barbara Mollert of Saint Charles, Minnesota, mother Agnes (Cleveland) Sanborn, father Winfield K. Sanborn, and stepmother Sylvia (Bloom) Sanborn.

A private family graveside service will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lime Springs, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Patty Elwood Center or the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Board.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Pleasant Hill Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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