Karen (Cain) Peters, 78, of Burlington and formerly of Rippey, Ft. Dodge and Humboldt, died Friday, March 24, 2017, at Great River Hospice in Burlington, Iowa.
Karen was the daughter of Bruce William Cain and Bernice Louise States Cain. She was delivered by her uncle on June 20, 1938, in Lake City, Iowa, and died March 24, 2017, at the Great River Hospice House in Burlington, Iowa, at the age of 78 years, 9 months and 4 days.
Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Paul Burrow Wednesday, March 29 at the Rippey United Methodist Church. Karen’s casket bearers were “Her Grandchildren” Tyler Jensen, Colton Jensen, Joshua Peters, Neil Ericson, Nicholas Rhame, Jacob Peters, Shannon Van Horn, Ashley Jensen, Jessica Ericson and Abby Peters.
Her pianist was Marjorie Vannatta. The soloist was Brenda Roberts. The hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Burial was in the Rippey Cemetery in Rippey. Lunch was served at the Rippey United Methodist Church by the church ladies.
Karen grew up on her parents’ farm southwest of Rippey.
She was an active student while attending Rippey Consolidated School before graduating High School in 1956.
Karen was a wonderful friend to all during school, and she was especially and forever cherished by her classmates. She had an exceptionally beautiful singing voice, which was not injured from her cheerleading days!
In addition to lending her vocal attributes to many small groups, choirs and solos, she played the alto saxophone in the band and small groups.
She was pleased to be selected for Iowa Girls State and was chosen Miss Rippey and Miss Greene County. To say Karen was beautiful inside as well as outside is an understatement.
Throughout her life she loved animals, thus the appropriate memorial selection.
After graduation, Karen attended Morningside College in Sioux City for two years and received her teaching certificate.
She was united in marriage with Dan Peters in 1958, and they were blessed with six children: Kathy, David, Jane, Donna, Julie and Doug.
Karen was a very busy wife and mother and yet always involved with her churches and communities. Her children appreciate the legacy she gave them to be leaders in their respective communities, remembering her involvement in 4-H and the Girls Scouts.
She also loved being a part of the Bell Choir, playing at Church and at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge.
The family made their home in Sioux City for six years, then Ft. Dodge, Harcourt and Humboldt, where she taught junior high in the Humboldt schools. She taught Special Education for 10 years and then reading, literature and ninth grade speech classes.
Karen was dedicated to completing her own education and received her bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista in Storm Lake and her master’s degree in Special Education from Drake University in Des Moines.
After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and being with her children and grandchildren.
Karen was a member of Rippey United Methodist Church, later attending Methodist Church services in other communities and for several years attending Covenant Church in Lanyon.
She also enjoyed her memberships in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Alpha Omega Sorority in Humboldt, Chautauqua Book Club and community chorus and band, to name a few.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; and her father and mother-in-law, Jake and Wilmuth Peters.
Her memory will be ever in her family’s hearts, her children Kathy (George) Jensen of Waukee, David (Shari) Peters of Humboldt, Jane (Ron) Ericson of Pueblo West, Colo., Donna Peters of Lakewood, Colo., Julie Georgiou of Denver, Colo., and Doug (Ann) Peters of Burlington; 10 precious grandchildren, Tyler Jensen, Ashley Jensen, Colton Jensen, Shannon (T. J.) Van Horn, Joshua Peters, Jessica Ericson, Neil Ericson, Nicholas Rhame, Abby Peters and Jacob Peters; cousins; other relatives; and many, many friends.
Memorials are respectfully suggested to the Burlington Humane Society and may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, 1417 Second St., Perry, Iowa 50220.
