Gloria Lee Peterson

Gloria Lee Peterson, 92 years, of Council Bluffs, passed away at her residence early Saturday morning, March 14, 2020. She was born February 16, 1928 in Everly, Iowa to Elza and Elma (Hopfe) Bodenhamer.

She grew up around Spencer, IA. During her younger years her family lived on a farm where she became very active in 4-H serving as the historian. Some of her projects included raising chickens and pigs at the farm.

When she moved to Council Bluffs in 1951 she went to work at the Maid-Rite. There she met the love of her life Kenneth Peterson. They were married August 25, 1956.

Gloria Lee had many jobs that she loved after the Maid-Rite. Beno’s Dept. Store, managed the R.L.D.S Thrift Store for many years, was the manager of Bloomin’ John’s (which she loved because of her love for flowers), Earl May’s, and finished her working career at Hy-Vee.
She was very active in her church; her faith was everything to her. She was always thinking of ways to help the community, her church and her family. Some of her favorite projects included gathering stuffed animals to take to the police station for children in need, coordinating the making of hats and scarves for the Christmas baskets, gathering socks and essentials for the homeless, but her favorite project was selling the peanut brittle the church ladies made as a fundraiser for the children of Haiti (which she enlisted every family member to help).
Even after her diagnosis she was always thinking of ways to help others.

We will always cherish the memories we made with her, we love her and are going to miss her more than words can express.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Peterson; brothers, Wayne and Robert Bodenhamer; son-in-law, Terry Poffenbarger; daughter-in-law, Naomi Peterson.

Gloria is survived by her children, Shari Poffenbarger, Kim Peterson, and Julie(Patrick) Steenbock; grandchildren, LeAnn Shorney, Laura Gray (John Coenen), Breanne Peterson, Kaitlyn Steenbock, Madison Peterson and Jacob Steenbock; great grandchildren, Lola, Jesse, Evan and Owen; sister in law, Barb Bodenhamer; nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

THE SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY MARCH 19 HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE