Joan Peters

     Joan Peters (Anderson), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother peacefully passed on August 30th at the age of 96 at Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

     Joan was born on May 12, 1930 in Titonka, Iowa, the first born to Christine (Sunde) and Clifford Anderson. The family soon moved to Buffalo Center where Joan started school and first discovered her natural curiosity and love of reading. In 1937, the family moved to a farm in Williams, Iowa. Joan attended school and graduated from Williams High School. Following high school, she enrolled at Waldorf College in Forest City and pursued a degree in education. Following her successful completion, she became a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Dexter, Iowa. To pursue her love of reading, she returned to Iowa Teachers College (UNI)to receive a reading endorsement. 

     After completion, she returned to teaching grades 1-4 Reading in Avoca, Iowa. While in Avoca, a fellow teacher introduced her to a local young man, Ron Peters. After a fun courtship, Ron and Joan married in 1950 in Williams, Iowa. They enjoyed a 52-year marriage until Ron passed on in 2003. Shortly after they were married; they moved to Webster City. Over the years, they had four children including David, Randy, Jeannie, and Ron. They tragically lost Randy in 1976 in an Easter car accident. Ron and Joan also enjoyed four grandchildren, Andrew and Allison (David) and Jennifer and Ryan (Jeannie and Steve). Joan also loved having great grandchildren, Ellie and Cambria (and Korey).

      A few years after moving to Webster City, Joan became a Welcome Wagon representative and enjoyed greeting newcomers to Webster City. A few years later she joined her sister, Marlys, as a sales representative for House of Decorative Accessories (HODA). In 1975 at the age of 45, Joan began the pursuit of a lifelong dream, to become a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Iowa Central Community College and began a 28-year career at Hamilton County Hospital in Webster City. She found great joy in serving patients and developed warm friendships in her many years there. After retirement, she fed her tremendous curiosity by becoming a voracious reader until her stroke last year. She constantly said, "I need to learn something new each day." 

     Joan is survived by her three children including David Peters of Boulder, Colorado; Jeannie Vande Zande (Steve) of Webster City and Ron Peters (Diane) of Des Moines. Also, grandchildren consisting of Andrew Peters (Neda) of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Ryan Vande Zande (Giuliana) of Ankeny and Jennifer Van Wyk (Korey) of Orange City, Iowa with great grandchildren, Elliana and Cambria Van Wyk. She is also survived by her brother Wayne Anderson (Marlene) of Ames, Iowa, along with many nieces and nephews and their children. Joan was an active member of the former First Baptist Church of Webster City for 55 years. 

     Joan's love of family, service, and learning will forever live on in those who have known her and loved her. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, her parents Clifford and Christine, son, Randy, granddaughter, Allison Peters, and sisters Marlys (Richard) Thornton and Marjorie Anderson. 

     Visitation will be Tuesday, September 8th from 9:30 until 11:00 am at Asbury Methodist Church with her service to follow at 11:00. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Webster City. Foster Funeral Home is in charge of services. 

     The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to the staff of Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls for their love and care for Joan the last 14 months. Memorials may be directed to Kendall Young Library.