Velma Peterson

Velma F. Peterson, 98, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

She was born October 26, 1918, at home near Medora, Iowa, in southern Warren County, Iowa, the daughter of Ivan and Iva (Hamilton) Calaway. Velma attended country schools in Squaw Township and graduated from Indianola High School in 1935 with a normal training certificate to teach. She taught for five years in country schools in Squaw Township.

Velma was married January 11, 1941, to Alvin Paul Peterson at the Christian parsonage in Chariton, Iowa. They farmed for five years in Squaw Township. In 1946, they moved to a farm west of New Virginia, Iowa, where they continued farming until retiring to Anita, Iowa, in November of 1984. They spent their remaining years in Anita. Alvin passed away March 1, 2006.

Once she moved to Anita, she became involved in playing golf, the Sunset Club where she played cards, the Garden Club since she loved her flowers, and she crocheted for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin; her parents, Ivan and Iva Calaway; her son-in-law, Jack Basquin; and her siblings, Everett, Merrill and Vera Calaway who all passed away as small children; and her brother, Russell Calaway.

Velma is survived by her four daughters, Janice (Gary) Christensen, Joyce (Russel) Strawn, Marilyn Basquin, and Evelyn (Marty) Jacobs; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; her sister, Doris Taylor; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation with family will be from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.