Elizabeth Elaine Peters, 87 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 6:10 pm Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Living Center East, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born December 2, 1925 in Monroe County, Iowa, the seventh child of William Patrick and Mary Grace (Miller) Barnes. In 1933, after the death of her father, she moved with her mother to live with an older sister in Fairfield, Iowa. She was a 1942 graduate of Fairfield High School, and a 1946 graduate of Parsons College in Fairfield. On December 19, 1945, she married John R. "Pete" Peters, in the Barhydt Chapel on the Parsons College campus. They were married for over 60 years before he preceded her in death on March 5, 2007.

Upon Pete's graduation in 1948, they moved to Fort Madison. She taught business in three consolidated high schools and did substitute teaching in public and Aquinas high schools for 17 years. She was a member of the Fort Madison United Methodist Church and taught primary Sunday School for 17 years. She was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 14 years, an assistant Cub Scout den mother, and a volunteer door-to-door driver for many years. She loved reading, gardening, and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by one son, Phillip D. (wife Karen) Peters, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one daughter-in-law, Karen Peters, of Fort Madison, Iowa; five grandchildren, one great grandson; eight nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, three sisters, and one son, John R. "Skip" Peters.

Friends may call after 2:00 pm Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 5:30 - 6:30 pm Thursday evening. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Friday, October 11, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Jan Garza officiating. Burial will be at Soldiers Circle, Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established for the Fort Madison Public Library, and contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa.