Carol Ann Marie (Peterman) Box, 85, of Salem, passed away on March 6, 2025, during the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She was born on November 22, 1939, at home in rural Iowa to Clem and Alberta Peterman, the fourth of six children. She was always a fighter, which began with surviving scarlet fever as an infant and kept her going through sarcoma cancer and many surgeries throughout her life. Despite being a tough cookie who loved to tease, she was most often described as a sweetheart.
After four years of courtship, during which every occasion was marked with a heartfelt card (many of which we still have), she married Adrian (Abie) Box on November 7, 1959, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Carol’s life was a testament to the value of hard work and dedication. As a farm girl, she started work at an early age. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1958 and then worked with pride at Champion Sparkplugs. She was the bookkeeper for the family business, Hoschek and Box Masonry, for many years. Later she worked at Jet Gas. At home, she always embodied the role of a devoted farm wife and mom, balancing the demands of the farm with tenacity and grace.
In her lifetime, she found joy in quilting, using her intricate designs to stitch love into every fabric. Until the later years, she delighted in preparing meals, believing that cooking for others was a true expression of her affection. Carol delighted her extended family with her legendary fried chicken, savory spaghetti and meatballs, and comforting meatloaf. Her baking skills shone through in her cookies, fudge, and pies, especially her favorite sour cream raisin pie, and her homemade ice cream was a favorite among many. Breakfasts were made special with her pancakes topped with thick homemade white syrup. Some of her fondest memories were made in the kitchen, baking with her grandkids, teaching them her cherished recipes, and sharing laughter and love.
She was a vibrant soul who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She cherished her time snowmobiling with friends and hanging out with her card club. A devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, she rarely missed a game and cheered passionately for her team. Winters in Texas were her special retreat, where she basked in the warmth and created lasting memories. Her spirit and zest for life will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She had a profound love for flowers, both those she cultivated herself and those she received, each bloom holding a special place in her heart. She also had a great love for birds, especially cardinals, finding joy in their presence and songs. She relished the game of euchre, not only for the fun it brought but for the stories and smiles it facilitated, turning games into treasured memories. Known for her playful teasing, she had a unique talent for bringing a smile to anyone’s face, making her presence a source of warmth and laughter. Her legacy will live on as we strive to embody these qualities in our daily lives.
Carol was an exceedingly thoughtful and caring individual who cherished her personal connections with friends and family. Her unwavering love and concern were evident in the cards she sent to show she was thinking of them. Over the years, she found joy in both giving and receiving these heartfelt tokens of affection, amassing a collection of thousands of cards that she treasured as precious memories. She loved to display them around the house and stuff them in drawers as a reminder of loved ones, as she really enjoyed revisiting the heartfelt messages. Carol’s kindness, dedication to her loved ones, and nostalgic spirit will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.
Her heart overflowed with love and pride for her children and a favorite pastime was spoiling her cherished grandkids and great grandkids. She is survived by her children Judy (Layne) Barnes, Jan (Mike) Steffensmeier, and Jodi (Lamont) Sutter; grandchildren Jesse (Mary Beth) Barnes, Janel (Scott) Fedler, Andrew (Kaitlyn) Steffensmeier, Zach Steffensmeier, Nate Steffensmeier, Lizzy Steffensmeier, Avery Sutter, and Aiden Sutter; great-grandchildren Owen Steffensmeier, Sofia Steffensmeier, Ella Steffensmeier, Layla Barnes, and Barrett Fedler; and siblings Paul (Barb) Peterman and Karen Wright; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Adrian, sisters Jean Fraise and Phyllis Humphrey, and brother Richard Peterman.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to her home parish, St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, or the Legacy Fund at the Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa. Special thanks to the many family members, friends, Father Dan Dorau, and caregivers across the years who brought love and sunshine to Mom’s days. We have a deep and forever gratitude for the love, affection, compassion, patience, and care given selflessly to mom. These angels walk among us and many of them work at the Klein Center in the Mississippi Wing.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 15, 2025 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau officiating. Visitation at Elliott Chapel, New London, will begin at noon on Friday, March 14, with the family greeting friends from 5-7:00 PM. According to her wishes, her body will be cremated following the service and inurnment next to her beloved husband Adrian will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at approximately 2:01 a.m., the Fort Madison Police Department received a 911 call reporting that an individual had been shot at 505 10th St. in Fort Madison. Upon arrival, law enforcement and first responders located a young male with a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.
The highly anticipated 75th anniversary of the Midwest Old Threshers is set to bring an exciting mix of entertainment to this year’s event. The Entertainment was revealed at last nights Alive After Five event hosted by the Old Threshers Reunion. The lineup includes performances from the Mallpass Brothers, rising country music stars Cooper Allen and Priscilla Block, and an evening of comedy with legendary comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Sunday.
Ruth E. Wallingford, 81, of Mount Pleasant died Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at her home.