Gladys Peterson

GLADYS PETERSON

Marion

Gladys Marie Peterson, 97, of Bickford Cottage in Marion, died there Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Celebration of Life services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Visitation will be one half hour before services Saturday at Brosh Chapel. Private family entombment will be in Cedar Memorial Mausoleum, Cedar Rapids.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Pam Feerer (Warren); grandchildren, Stacy Sebby (Mike) and Trent Svoboda (Shannon);

great-grandchildren, Austin Ashley, Cappra and Braeden Svoboda, Micaela and Jessica Sebby; nieces, nephew and special cousins.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Amelia Dohnalek; her husband, Marlan Peterson; her brother, Bill Dohnalek (Clara); and her sister, Alma Roman (Ernest).

Gladys was born March 24, 1917, on the family farm in the Czech community near Fairfax, Iowa, where she spent 60 years of her life. At home she learned to speak the Czech language of which she was always proud. As a child she attended La Belle country school, loved playing in the barn and attending local dances with her parents where she acquired a love of dancing that she carried with her always. The wide open spaces of the farm were near and dear to her heart. She got behind the wheel of a car at the age of 13 and didn't get out of it until the age of 95.

After La Belle country school, she attended high school in Fairfax and then went on to graduate from the Cedar Rapids Paris Beauty Academy, earning a cosmetology certificate in 1936. After finishing her schooling, she headed to Hollywood, Calif., on a trip with a friend and decided to stay. She found work as a beauty consultant at the Max Factor Makeup factory. While she was in California, she met Marlan Peterson (from Nebraska) at a dance hall while dancing to Kay Kyser's Big Band. It was love and they were married in Glendale, Calif., in 1940.

The call of the family farm was strong for the newly married couple and they packed up the Model T and drove across country to set up house on the farm where she was born. She enjoyed everything that living on the farm required: cooking large meals for the hired hands, tending a large vegetable garden and canning the produce and cultivating a beautiful flower garden. She became an expert at making delicious pies and her family were the lucky recipients of her talent for years. During their young married life the couple would attend dances at the local dance halls. They were a striking couple and loved to dress to the nines.

After a few years back on the farm they were blessed with their daughter, Pamela Kay, and Gladys' days became much busier. She eventually put her cosmetology skills back into use by opening up the Farmhouse Beauty Shop on the front porch of the farmhouse where she would style hair for the farm ladies in the area. She was extremely devoted to her daughter and was a very supportive and involved parent as Pam was growing up. One of the social events the family particularly enjoyed was being a part of a family-centered card club for over 50 years.

Eventually Marlan's health required their move to town in 1978 and she spent that portion of her life in Green Valley on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. During these years she traveled to Europe six times, the highlight being her trip to Prague because of her strong Czech heritage, returning with lovely pieces of Czech garnet jewelry. She had a love of photography and was the family historian. In her later years she enjoyed her daily lunch visits to Bishop's and the 16th Avenue Grill, along with her daily drives through Bever Park. She loved the Amanas, specifically the Ox Yoke and the Woolen Mills, and was a loyal customer and friend for decades. She also loved touring with the Beth Hines travel bus tours.

Gladys was a loving wife and helpmate to her husband, Marlan; a wonderful mother and mother-in-law to her daughter, Pam and husband Warren; and she loved and supported her grandchildren and great-grandchildren without fail. Her family will honor her memory and miss her always.

She was an active member in several organizations: Eastern Star Fairest Chapter No. 382 for 50 years, Czech Heritage Foundation Inc., National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, El Kahir Shrine Widows Club and Farm Ladies Club.

Special thanks to the loving staff at Bickford Cottage, especially Anita, Pauline, Becky, Patty and Kari, and also to Zola from St. Luke's Hospice for her loving care and guidance.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.