Mary Kay Peters

One of the brightest stars in our lives was dimmed with her sudden passing.  Mary Kay Peters, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 31, 2021 surrounded by family at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, IA.  

Mary was born on March 8, 1949 in Fort Dodge, IA and was adopted by Harold and Gladys (Johnson) Robbins.  She grew up in Manson and graduated high school in 1967.  After winning the national championship for speed typing, she attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and earned an Executive Secretarial degree.  While living in Manson, Mary worked at Feed Fortifiers and performed with the Meridian Singers.

She later married the love of her life, Dennis Peters, on June 17, 1978 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Manson.  Moving to Ankeny later that fall, they started on their adventure together.  Mary worked as a Secretary for Ankeny Schools for 26 years, starting at Parkview Junior High and moving to Southeast Elementary in 1986 before retiring in 2009.  While in Ankeny, they raised three beautiful kids and cheered on the Hawkeyes together for 43 years.  

Mary was a devoted wife, loving mother, doting Gigi to her grandkids, dog mom to Gracie, selfless caretaker, and faithful friend.  Those left to cherish her memory will miss her infectious laugh, kind and compassionate heart, optimistic spirit, endearing grace, and the ability to find the sparkle in everything.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Peters of Ankeny, IA; children Kari Long (Scott Lowry) of Papillion, NE, Casey (Jamie) Peters of Crawfordsville, IN, and Karla Costello (Lee Shepherd) of Grimes, IA; grandchildren Colby Long, Kelsey Long, Bradon Lowry, Elizabeth Peters, Kyle Costello, and Sam Shepherd; sister Joyce Hite of Manson, IA; and brothers Ed Simpson of Boxholm, IA and Bob Simpson of Badger, IA.

In death she rejoins her parents, brothers Alan Robbins and Bryon Sheker, sister Audrey Goodspeed and an infant sister.

Please join us in celebrating her life Thursday, November 4, 2021.  Visitation will be held at 1pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 SW Des Moines Street in Ankeny with a funeral service immediately following at 2pm. The funeral will also be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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