Peglow, Vera M. 1958-2014

PEGLOW, DECKER, RUOPP, SANDERS, WATHANACHAROEN, PETERSEN, MOORE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/8/2014 at 13:23:20

Vera M. Peglow Mar 18, 1958 - Dec 7, 2014

Vera M. Peglow died on December 7th at her home in Marshalltown, Iowa from mesothelioma. A visitation will be held at St. Henry’s Church in Marshalltown from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 9th, followed by a brief prayer service. The funeral will be held on December 10th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Henry’s Church in Marshalltown. Following the funeral, family and friends are invited to Elmwood Country Club. The proceeds of memorials will be shared by St. Francis Marshalltown Area Catholic School and the Todd R. Peglow Scholarship Fund.

Vera was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa on March 18, 1958, the daughter of Vernon and Elizabeth Decker. She has two sisters who continue to reside in Marshalltown, Mary (Mike) Ruopp and Joyce (Mark) Sanders. Vera and her family moved to Marshalltown when she was 5 years old.

Vera graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1977 and secured a nursing degree from Marshalltown Community College. She was the most giving of individuals. Vera loved working as a nurse and helping and caring for her patients. During her nursing career she worked at Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center, Skiff Hospital in Newton, McFarland Clinic and Primary Health Care. There was never a day when Vera did not look forward to going to work with her medical family and friends to provide quality service to her patients.

Vera enjoyed spending time with her friends and volunteering her time to help others, especially those less fortunate. Vera was active at St. Henry’s Church and St. Rita’s Club. She was the President of the Marshalltown Area Catholic School Parents Association and the Assistance League of Marshalltown. She strongly supported the charities that benefitted from the generosity of the Assistance League. She especially enjoyed decorating and helping with the Charity Ball. She also loved to help her friends decorate and plan family weddings and activities. She frequently volunteered at the House of Compassion and mentored at the Marshalltown Community Schools. Vera felt fortunate that she was able to help Mikiah, a 9 month old baby, for whom she lovingly cared for in her home for over two years before helping to place her with a young couple unable to have children.

Vera was fun and had boundless energy. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, bicycling and scuba diving with her friends in Bonaire, an island off the coast of Venezuela. Many times she would roll her friends out for an early morning dive or insist on one more dive in the late afternoon.

Although Vera had many interests, her primary devotion was to her family. She loved spending time with family members and in later years lavished attention on her five grandchildren. Vera was always there for her family and nothing gave her greater joy than seeing them happy.

Vera always saw the good in people and was never fazed by any challenge. She faced everything she encountered with optimism, buoyed by her deep faith. Everyone will miss Vera’s love, friendship, beauty and compassion for others.

Vera is survived by her parents and sisters; her husband, Paul C. Peglow; her children, Angela (Paul) Wathanacharoen from Leawood, Kansas; Michelle (Brad) Petersen from Ankeny, Iowa; Tyler Peglow from Dallas, Texas; Alexander (Lené) Moore from Findlay, Ohio, and her five grandchildren. Her son, Todd, preceded her in death.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown is in charge of funeral arrangement ~ The Des Moines Register Legacy, Des Moines, Iowa Dec 2014.