Edna Elizabeth Peters

February 13, 1924 - December 4, 2015

Edna Elizabeth Peters, 91, of Rockwell, IA died on Friday evening, December 4, 2015 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. A visitation will be held from 3-6 pm on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 502 2nd Street, Rockwell. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am with a one hour prior visitation on Wednesday at the church. Pastor Rhea Evanson will be officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Swaledale. Edna Peters, daughter of Lester William Markwardt and Elizabeth Jane (Nicholson) Markwardt was born on February 13, 1924 in rural Latimer, IA. Edna married Leo Harm Peters on October 27, 1941 in Princeton, Missouri. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton, IA on December 24, 1942 in a class of 18 students. Edna was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton and an active member of the Ladies AID Mission Society as well as teaching Sunday school for 10 years. Leo and Edna lived in Pleasant Valley (rural Thornton) for 2 years. To their union three children were born: Lauralye Katherine, Darwin Leo and Carolyn Lorraine. Edna and her husband spent most of their lives farming. The couple moved to Union Township (southwest of Clear Lake) before their son Darwin was born and lived there until 1954. They purchased a farm in Mount Vernon Township (west of Rockwell) and lived there until retirement in 1974. After retirement, Edna and Leo moved into Rockwell and resided across the street from St. Peter Lutheran Church, where they were longtime members. Edna became a very active member in her church family. She taught Sunday school for several years and was a member of the adult Sunday school class. Edna helped start the quilting group in 1972 and participated weekly until 2012. She also was a very active member of the ALCW and became President for a few years. Edna was a charter member of the Swaledale Federated Garden Club starting in 1957. She held all offices in the club and was Iowa State President in 1974. Edna and her sister Laura Froning studied and became Garden Club judges together in 1975. They judged for years together along with daughter Carolyn. Edna was a Master Judge. This is a very active small club with community actions that received National and State Awards. Her legacy is to always look at the positive side. She was a wonderful mother, strict at times, but only because she wanted her children to be loved by others as much as she loved them. Edna’s family is thankful for the “afterglow,” she has left in their lives. Those left to cherish her memory include her three children: Lauralye Peters of Centennial, Colorado, Darwin (Beverly) Peters of Rockwell and Carolyn (Saleem) AbuJobarah of Clear Lake; younger sister, Laura Froning of Albert Lea, MN; nine grandchildren: Jeffrey Kothenbeutel, Lisa Kothenbeutel, Jack Roach, Michelle (Rob) Engerman, Jessica (Adam) Linnebur, Carrie (Mike) Demory, Monica (John) McLaughlin, Marguerita AbuJobarah, RamyLeo AbuJobarah and Bethany AbuJobarah; 11 great-grandchildren: Nicolette Kothenbeutel, Blake Kothenbeutel, Robbie Engerman, Tyler Engerman, Devin (Dalcy) Lorenzen, Amber McLaughlin, Ashley McLaughlin, Nathan Bond, Keyara AbuJobarah and TeAndra AbuJobarah; great-great-grandchildren: Bralyn Lorenzen, Briley Lorenzen and Gideon Leo Linnebur and Vincent Engerman; Leo and Edna’s unofficial adopted children: Bob and Nancy Corporon; and many nieces and nephews. Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Peters; parents, Lester and Elizabeth Markwardt; and three older brothers: Harold, Howard and Leonard. Those planning on expression of sympathy may consider memorials to Salvation Army Adult Daycare or Swaledale Federated Garden Club.