Florence Francene Peterson

Florence Francene (Fran) Peterson, 85, of Mount Pleasant, IA, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Parkview Manor in Wellman, IA.A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 2, 2015 at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, August 3, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Trey Hegar officiating. Interment will be at Forest Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church, Iowa Public Television and the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Born July 3, 1930 in Grand Island, NE, Fran was the daughter of Paul Emerson Bryant and Roberta Florence Rickard. She grew up with one brother, Paul Eugene Bryant. Fran graduated from Omaha North High School in 1948 and studied at Omaha University and the Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, NE.Fran was united in marriage to her one true love, Dr. Byron Eugene (Pete) Peterson, on August 20, 1951 at the American Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE. As Pete completed his medical education and training, the couple moved to various locations in the Midwest and had four children: Byron Eugene, Jr., Paula Francene, Janet Louise and Andrea Sue. In 1957, they moved to southeast Iowa where Pete began his career practicing medicine and Fran was a full-time devoted wife and mother. She also dedicated countless hours to volunteering for the Girls Scouts, Graham Hospital in Keokuk, IA and the Garden Florist and Greenhouses in Mount Pleasant, IA. Fran was known for her sweet disposition, frequent hugs and love of black coffee and talk radio.During her free time, Fran enjoyed a host of hobbies including: gardening, quilting, knitting, antiquing, genealogy and caning chairs. Fran was a longstanding member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant, IA, where she sang in the Westminster Choir, taught Sunday school and played piano for the children's sing-a-long worship. Fran loved to travel with family and friends, visiting six of the world's seven continents during her lifetime. Fran was an active member of P.E.O. Chapters Original A, NZ and OX, the Harlan Questers, Beta Sigma Phi and the Rhythm Rockers. Fran is survived by four children: Byron Peterson, Jr. of Mount Pleasant, IA, Paula (Kevin) Hoenig of Mount Pleasant, IA, Dr. Janet (Andrew) Long of Hartsburg, MO and Andrea (Bob) Kelly of Keokuk, IA. Fran is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.Preceding Fran in death were her husband, Pete; her parents; her brother; and one grandson. Cemetery Details Forest Home Cemetery South Walnut Street Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641 Visitation AUG 2. 12:00 PM - 06:00 PM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com Family will be present AUG 2. 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com Funeral service AUG 3. 10:30 AM First Presbyterian Church 902 South Walnut Street Mt. Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 www.firstpsby@iowatelecom.net http://www.firstpresbyonline.org