Elaine Ann Peterson, 93 years, of Fort Madison, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, March 17, 2025, after a brief illness. Elaine was born Nov. 8, 1931, in Chicago, the daughter of John and Leocadia "Kate" (Bortke) Jahner. She married the love of her life, Franklin Peterson, on Oct. 2, 1954, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South St. Paul, Minnesota. They had six children: Dave, Dick, Roberta, Don, Jane, and Judy.

Elaine was a homemaker and devout Catholic. In her early years, she worked at Swift and Company in South St. Paul, Minnesota.  In the 1960s, Elaine and Frank were owners of the Diamond Cab Company, South St. Paul, where she also worked as a dispatcher. In 1973, they moved their family to Donnellson, Iowa.  In 1988, their family moved to Fort Madison.  She was an active member of the Holy Family Parish, where she sang in the choir.  Family, especially her grandchildren and her faith were most important to her.

She is survived by her children: Dick (Patricia) Peterson of San Antonio, Texas; Roberta Danielson of Fairfield, Iowa; Don "Pete" Peterson of Fort Madison; Jane (Tom) Finn of Batavia, New York; and Judy (Greg) Stuecker of West Point, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Peggy Peterson of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren: Matt (Kelly), Kevin (Andi), John (Jessica), Michael, Lisa, Catie (Bryan), Ellen (Sam), Adam , Brian (Tori), John, Michael, Mari (Paul), and Sara (Jamie);  great grandchildren: Ava, Aiden, Lucy, Ruth, Nolan, Anthony, Allison, Gideon, Penelope "Poppy" and one on the way; Austrian Family: Eva, Romy, Richie (Klaudija) Kaufmann and their daughter, Emilia.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 65 years, three siblings: Therese Murray, Alma Benjamin and Bill Jahner, one son, David Peterson, one daughter-in-law Lauretta "Ret" Lay; one son-in-law Doug Danielson and a Foreign Exchange Student from Austria, Josef "Sepp" Kaufmann.

A rosary will be recited at 4:00 pm Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison with visitation to follow till 6:00 pm Friday evening at the chapel.  Mass of Christian Burial will be begin at 10:30 am Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church, Holy Family Parish, Fort Madison with Reverend Gary Beckman as Celebrant.  Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Fort Madison.  A memorial has been established for the Holy Family Parish and Maryknoll (mission work), contributions may be made at the church or the Barr Memorial Chapel.  Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Peterson family and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.