Marion H. Peters

Marion “Pete” Harold Peters, 90, was born March 13, 1922, in Jefferson, Iowa, the son of Harold and Gertrude Peters. He passed away peacefully Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Pete married Barbara Wesslund on July 12, 1942, in Long Beach, CA, and had four children Nancy, Charlotte, Diana and Mike.

Pete served in the Marines during WWII, guarding prisoners aboard the USS William Mitchell and USS Callan. He was in the Marine Reserve and Civil Defense. Upon discharge, he worked for Douglas Aircraft in California. In 1949, he moved to Iowa and started working at John Deere in Ankeny as an experimental mechanic, eventually traveling to different areas testing and repairing machines. (His family grew up Green and Yellow!) Pete retired in 1979 after 30 years. He helped at his son Mike’s towing business in Altoona.

Pete was very active in the community serving as a volunteer firefighter for Delaware Township and Special Deputy Sheriff for Polk County, a 50+ year member of ZaGaZig Shrine, King David Lodge #307, Scottish Rite, American Legion, Highland Park Post #374, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 7 Local 254 Des Moines. Pete enjoyed fishing, traveling, and helping others.

Pete is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Barbara Peters; daughters, Nancy Brown, Charlotte Komlose and Diana (Steve) Niccum; son, Michael (Cheryl) Peters; ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Mary; a brother, Ford; a grandson, Dennis Allen Brown; and a great-great-granddaughter, Trinity Billings.

Memorial visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to Za Ga Zig Shrine or King David Masonic Lodge, both in Altoona.

Online condolences may be directed to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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