PERSOON, Richard 1952-2003

PERSOON, BIRGEN, SIVERSEN

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/13/2004 at 08:09:17

Richard Persoon, 51, of Pleasantville died of cancer Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Mercy Hospice, Johnston.

Mass was at St. Anthony's, Knoxville, with interment Dec. 20 in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Alvord.

Mr. Persoon was born Dec. 4, 1952, the son of Leo and Rachael (Birgen) Persoon. He grew up near Alvord and attended West Lyon schools. He received a bachelor of arts in elementary education from the University of Iowa and a master of arts in curriculum and administration from Northeast Missouri State and his superintendent's license from the University of Northern Iowa. He was a teacher, elementary principal and curriculum director at parochial and public schools throughout Iowa. He was most recently curriculum director at Pleasantville Community Schools.

On Jan. 13, 1973, he married Barbara Siversen in Iowa City.

He was active in the Iowa Reading Association, serving as local presidents and state treasurer. He volunteered as a library board member, community theater player, referee and linesman at school sporting events, CCD teacher, lay minister, ambulance driver and Cub Scout den master and was a member of Lions' Club and Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Michael of Chicago, Ill., and Douglas and Eric, both of Pleasantville; two daughters, Rebecca and Carolyn, both of Iowa City; his father of Rock Rapids and one brother, James of Spring Lake, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one brother, Jerome.