Vera Marie Peterson was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 3, 2022.  Born August 23, 1916 to Carl and Marie (Hart) Toepfer at Massbach in JoDaviess, Co.  She attended country school near Pleasant Valley.  She worked as a caretaker for Johnnie's mother and later she worked for a family in Freeport at which time she and John started dating.  Vera married John Peterson on September 28, 1939 in Des Moines, IA.  Vera was a farm wife and homemaker while raising her seven children.  She worked as an aide at Ortez Nursing Home in Lena and later worked at the Villas of Shannon Nursing Home for 22 years as a nurse's aide.  After retiring, she volunteered at Villas of Shannon and helped care for people in their Shannon homes.

In 1986, Vera and John moved to Shannon, remaining there for almost 27 years. They then enjoyed independent living in Freeport Liberty Village before moving to Winn Prairie in 2017 where both Vera and John formed more friendships and received care from thoughtful staff. Vera's widely-known hobby was quilting.  She made quilts for all of her family and for a host of people from the area.  Vera was active in the Shannon Woman's Club, served in various capacities at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, such as Ladies Guild, church board, and as a Sunday School teacher.  She has been a member of that church since 1940.  Vera and John enjoyed traveling with family and later going on bus tours with friends. Mom was always eager to play card games or scrabble, even if it meant playing scrabble by herself.  She also enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. Vera's wit and humor was evident until the very end of her 105 years in this ever-changing world.  She continued to challenge her mind in many ways and kept connected with her family even when a pandemic kept visits to virtual chats on the Facebook Portal.

Next to family, Mom's church was the most important thing to her.  Her main focus that she voiced recently was that she hoped that all generations of her family would know Christ as their Saviour.  She always had her morning devotions, attended Bible Study, and attended services as long as she was able.  Later, she listened to TV ministries and attended virtual church services.  Mom was a Christian example for family and friends.

Vera is survived by her children, Randall (Joyce), Richard (Janet), Ryan (Debbie), Reggie (Linda), Rodney (Nancy), Rita (Randy) Brinkmeier, and Ramona Cruse.  Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband John of 76 years who died in 2018; a brother Virgil Toepfer; sisters Rosella Quillen, and Marie Brenner; and son-in-law Jerry Cruse.

Funeral service will be held at Ebenezer United Church of Christ on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 10am by Pastor Jim Brown.  Visitation for family and friends will be at Hermann Funeral Home in Pearl City on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 2pm – 4pm.  Memorials in Vera's name can be made to FHN Hospice.