Joyce (Peters) Gordon

Joyce Harriet Peters, the daughter of Ray and Emma (Graf) Peters, was born May 12, 1916, at Coleridge, Nebraska, and graduated from Coleridge High School and Wayne State Teachers' College in Nebraska. She also attended the University of Northern Iowa to obtain her certification in library science during the 1960's. She began her teaching career in rural schools at Stanton, Nebraska. Joyce moved to Barnum, Iowa, in 1941, where she taught English, Home Economics, and Library, and directed plays for 40 years before retiring in 1981. When she began teaching in Barnum, she boarded with James and Hannah Gordon, the parents of her future husband whom she met when he returned home from the service. On August 8, 1943, Joyce married J. Franklin Gordon at Coleridge and they established their home one mile east of Barnum. Franklin died on September 11, 1988. Joyce stayed on the farm until 2002, when she moved into Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa. After retirement, she enjoyed gardening, quilting, and spending time with family and friends. Joyce belonged to the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Barnum, where she was a member for almost 70 years. During that time she held many offices inclu...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

g being church treasurer for almost 25 years. She was a member of the Retired School Personnel of Webster County, Fort Dodge Federated Garden Club, Area Garden Club, and Christian Women's Club. She is survived by a sister, Clarice Peters Morrison of Coleridge, Nebraska, and several beloved nieces and nephews: Jim and Dee Morrison of Omaha, Nebraska, Tom and Monica Morrison of Blair, Nebraska, Bruce and Fan Morrison of Omaha, Nebraska, Susan Morrison (Duane) Stingley of Laurel, Nebraska, Carol (Larry) Dunscombe of Humboldt, Iowa, Mick Gordon of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Jeannine Garman of Charles City, Iowa, Ron and Cheri Loftus of Rapid City, Iowa, Laurene Cordes of Marion, Iowa, Dawn Grove of South Haven, Michigan, Clark Gordon of Storm Lake, Iowa, Vicki Offerman of Long Lake, Minnesota, Douglas Horton of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, John Horton of Tecumseh, Kansas, Steven Horton of Richfield, Minnesota, and Jeannine Wiegert of Fairfield, Iowa.