Jean Ruth Peterson 78, of McGregor, Iowa died Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at her home. Jean Ruth was born June 26, 1944 at the Oelwein Hospital to George and Ruth Chappell of Strawberry Point, Iowa. The family soon moved to McGregor, Iowa, were they ran a dairy business. Jean attended Mar-Mac School and graduated in 1962. She went on to business school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she graduated and then went to work for Bickel and Byers Realtor in Cedar Rapids.
In August of 1964, Jean was united in marriage with Gary Peterson, a graduate of Upper Iowa. One son was born to this union, Jon. Throughout the years, they lived in Owasa, Ossian and Garwin, Iowa, where Gary taught school. While in Garwin, Jean was hired by the South Tama County School System as a secretary. She worked there from 1974 to 2006, when she retired. After Jean and Gary both retired, they moved to McGregor, Iowa to their retirement home. While in McGregor she became a volunteer at the McGregor Museum. She spent many hours at the Museum, organizing and researching information for people. She received the Mayor Century Award several times for her outstanding contributions to the preservation of the history of McGregor and the Lena D. Myers award in 2021. Her contributions to the museum will be greatly missed.
Surviving Jean are her husband, Gary; one son, Jon and Kelly Peterson; brother, Gary Chappell; sister, Joyce Novey; her nephews, Josh Chappell and Chris Chappell; one niece, Laura Chappell and one nephew, Mike Novey.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in McGregor, Iowa. There will also be a half hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in McGregor, Iowa with Rev Gary Hatcher as the officiant.
Burial will follow at First Lutheran- Swede Ridge Cemetery in rural McGregor, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.