Helen Peterson

Helen E. Raaz Peterson, the daughter of Lester Raaz and Erma Anderson Raaz, was born May 10, 1921 in Jefferson.  Helen passed away in Hospice at the Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jefferson on May 22, at the age of 93 years.

Helen grew up in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School.  Helen was united in marriage to Vernon Peterson.  They were the parents of two children:  Richard and Marcia.  Helen was a happy and very special person, who was so proud to call Jefferson, Iowa her home.  She lived in Greene County her whole life.  She loved the people and developed many special friendships over the years.

Helen worked for many years at the Bee & Herald and the Engineers Office at the Greene County Courthouse.  After retirement, she loved working at the Greene County Medical Center in the gift shop.  She also loved the Mahanay Bell Tower and loved volunteering her time to take tourist to the top of the Bell Tower and to see their expressions as they viewed Jefferson, the town she was so proud of.  Helen also loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and could often be found watching the Hawkeyes football and basketball games on TV.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vernon in 1973; 3 brothers:  Dean Raaz, Wayne Raaz, and Virgil Raaz; and a sister Velma Dove.  She is survived by her son Richard (Jane) Peterson of Urbandale, IA; her daughter Marcia (Steve) Ely of Grimes, IA; her sister Mary Williams of Florida; 3 grandchildren:  Kevin (Kim) Peterson of Shawnee, KS, Ken Peterson of Seattle, WA, and Tara Ely of Grimes; 2 great-grandchildren:  Sebastian Peterson and Dante Peterson of Shawnee, KS; other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mahanay Bell Tower Foundation or the Jefferson Congregate Meals.  Services were arranged by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.