Betty A. Peterson passed away and joined her beloved husband Pete, in Heaven on Thursday, January 26, 2023, with her daughters by her side.
Betty was born on January 22, 1933, the daughter of Orville and Irene Jones Downs, and grew up on Middle Road in Keokuk.
On February 16, 1951, Betty and Martin R. “Pete” were united in marriage at the First Lutheran Church in Keokuk. Of this marriage, two daughters were born, Kathleen and Dawn.
Betty and Pete built their own home on Middle Road and raised their family next to Betty’s grandparents house where she grew up.
Betty was a stay at home mom when her girls were young and was a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School and Bible School teacher and was in the Ladies Auxiliary at Sandusky Church. Betty worked at Lowary’s Greenhouse, and was an Aide at St. Joseph Hospital. In 1973, Betty and Pete opened and worked in their business, Peterson Auto Supply on Main Street in Keokuk, until they sold the business in 1988. Betty was supportive of her husband’s involvement with the City of Christmas and helped Pete with building displays and checking lights to be sure everything was ready for the Christmas season.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Pete in 2009. She is survived by her two daughters, Kathy (Dan) Geren of Burlington and Dawn Peterson of Keokuk. Granddaughter, Kara Kirk (Lee Parker)of Texas and Brandon (Abby) Burrus of Burlington, grandson, Kathy Burrus of Burlington, and a special cousin, Mandy Tedrow Morris and her family of Keokuk. Great Granddaughter, Quinlan Kirk of Cedar Rapids, Great Grandsons, Lachlan Kirk, Jayden Burrus, Austin Burrus and Logan Burrus all of Burlington. Step Grandsons, Chad (Julie) Geren and Daniel II (Kasi) Geren and seven Step Great Grandchildren. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, cousins, her Grand Dog, Brodie and special neighbors who have always been there for Betty, April and Troy Daniels.
Besides her husband Pete, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, cousins, aunts and uncles, including a special uncle, Leonard Jones.
Per Betty’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A graveside service at Oakland Cemetery will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 11:30am, with Father Marty Goetz as the celebrant. A time of fellowship will follow the service at the American Legion in Keokuk. Memorials may be left at DeJong’s Funeral home for the City of Christmas or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Due to the predictions of cold weather on Monday, anyone who wishes to remember Betty, but not attend the graveside service, may just meet at the American Legion at 12:15. Tributes and condolences may be left at www.dejongsfuneralhome.com. DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.
