Ella Peters

ELLA FRANCES PETERS

Independence

Ella Frances Peters, 96, of Independence, formerly of Vinton, died Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 4, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Sue Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.

Frances was born June 15, 1920, in Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of Fred C. and Julia A. Kelm Bangham. She attended country school and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1938.

After meeting at the Iowa State Fair in 1938, Frances was united in marriage with Floyd Leon Peters at her parents' home in Grinnell on June 12, 1943. The couple farmed Floyd's parents' farm until 1945 when Floyd enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge in 1946, the couple moved to Panora and resumed farming.

Frances worked for several companies during her lifetime. She was a teller at Perry Brenton Bank, secretary general for Grinnell Telephone Co., representative for Aetna Insurance in Chicago, a clerk in a Texas War Bond office while Floyd was in the Navy, and she also held positions at a Fort Dodge laboratory and the New Idea office. Upon moving to Vinton in 1958, she went to work for the Brenton Bank, where she remained until her retirement in 1985.

Frances was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, where she participated in the Women's Club and Circle. She also was a member of T.T.T.

Frances loved driving and was proud that she had her driver's license until the age of 95. Frances and Floyd enjoyed traveling with friends to places like Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and the continental United States, wintering in Texas and Arizona. They actively supported their grandchildren's musical and athletic activities. Frances loved baking, and her treats were enjoyed not only by her family, but also by those who sought out her cakes and pies at bake sale benefits. Frances also was known for remembering friends and family with cards on their birthdays.

Frances is survived by her daughter, June (Bob) Schmidt of Cedar Rapids; a son, Jim (Sally) Peters of Independence; four grandchildren, Katie (Brian) Miesbauer of Littleton, Colo., Erich Schmidt of Long Beach, Calif., Jennifer (Justin) Adam of New Hampton and T.J. Peters of Cedar Rapids; and great-grandson, Aiden Miesbauer of Littleton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, on Dec. 2, 2008; a brother, Raymond Bangham; and three siblings in infancy: James, Elizabeth and Wilma Bangham.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Frances and her family.

Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.