Donna Peterson, 85, of Burlington passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Klein Center in West Burlington.  Graveside Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Wapello Cemetery.  A memorial has been established in Donna’s name.    Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.   Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello is caring for Donna’s family and her arrangements.

Donna Joan Peterson was born on December 21, 1939 in rural Wapello, the daughter of Harlan and Verlee (Fletcher) Stewart.  Donna was a 1958 graduate of Wapello High School.  On July 25 1959, Donna was united in marriage to Marshal “Pete” Peterson in Burlington.  Donna worked for the Burlington Community Schools as the “lunch lady.”  She enjoyed going fishing with the family, crocheting, gardening and sewing.  Donna was a huge animal lover.

Donna will be deeply missed by her son, Jeff (Annette) Peterson of Burlington; grandchildren, Sarah (Joe) O’Brien of Iowa City, Joel (Samantha) Peterson of Hudson, Wisconsin and Kyle (Rachel) Peterson of Burlington; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Emily O’Brien, Nora and Lena Peterson and Parker and Liv Peterson; son-in-law, Gene Russell of Coralville and sister, Doris Howard.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, daughter, Denise Russell and brothers, Dale and Dean Stewart.

Otis James “Jim” “Boogie” Kite, Jr., 73, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 7:21 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

He was born on May 3, 1951, the son of Otis James, Sr. and Bessie Mae (Hatfield) Kite in Keokuk, Iowa. In August of 1970 he married Sandra Kay Stecker. They later divorced. On November 5, 1983, he married the love of his life, Teresa Gilbert, in Wever, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife: Teresa; three sons: Trae (Kyli) Kite of Milton, Iowa, Cory (Jill) Kite of Weston, Missouri, Tyler (Tiana) Kite of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; eight grandchildren; Deven, Cree, Cohen, Cooper, Kale, Lily, Tessa, Taylynne; two sisters: Cyrillis Kite of Farmington, Brenda (Joe) Cochran of Farmington; three brothers: Lloyd (Linda) Kite of Bonaparte, Joe (Kim) Kite of Farmington and Gerald (Diane) Kite of Mt. Pleasant. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Wendy Lee Chase and two brothers: Roger and Robert.

Jim was a 1969 graduate of Harmony High School. He was a truck driver for forty-four years, retiring from Fed-Ex Freight in August of 2013. He enjoyed playing semi-pro football in the early 1970s (where he got his nickname “Boogie Bear”), fast pitch softball, coaching his Farmington Locker boys at the Stockport softball tournament, deer hunting, smoking meat, playing cards, teasing and joking with others. Most of all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family especially his wife, children and grandchildren.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, where the family will be receive friends from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.

Burial will be held on his birthday, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Croton Cemetery. A celebration of his life will follow.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Debi Sue Ayer, 70, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 at her home.

An open visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20^th at Suburban Heights Baptist Church in Fairfield. Burial will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation and left at the funeral home.

Debi was born October 25, 1954 in Fairfield, the daughter of Wilson and Madeline Maxine (Turner) Parker. She was a 1972 graduate of Fairfield High School. Debi married Douglas Ayer, January 14, 2000 in Fairfield.

Throughout her life, Debi worked at the Jack and Jill Grocery, Fairfield Glove Factory, Town and County in Fairfield, and as a contractor for Iowa Electric. She enjoyed playing golf, boating, and loved her pet cats and dogs.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Doug; step-children, Joe (Lory) Ayer of Denver, Colorado and Beth (Matt) Seitz of Loveland, Colorado; four grandchildren; her brother, Rev. Ed (Karen) Parker of Fairfield; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Patty Leppert and Judy Mathes; and brother, Michael Parker.

Online condolences can be made to Debi’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

June Lowe, 98, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Henry County Health Center.

June was born on September 30, 1926, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd R. and Linnie (Murphy) McDaniel. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1944. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 1948. June went on to earn a master’s degree in education in 1967, from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now known as Truman State University. On November 30, 1948, she married Henry E. Freeman of Clear Lake, they resided in Galesburg, Illinois, and Mason City where their three daughters were born. The couple divorced in 1960.

June and her daughters moved back to Ottumwa where she became a teacher for the Ottumwa Community School District for 27 years. On December 26, 1962, she was married to Bill J. Lowe who was also a teacher. After retiring in 1989, she moved to Cedar Rapids to be near her daughters and grandchildren. Early in her retirement was involved with childcare and volunteering in her grandchildren’s schools. Additionally, she volunteered in medical records at Mercy Medical Center. She was an active long-standing member of Cedar Christian Church, the fitness facility, and her card playing group. June moved to Mount Pleasant in 2018 to be close to her daughter Karen.

At the age of 9, she expressed the desire to be Street Commissioner because she wanted to keep God’s world to be clean of litter so it was only natural for her to be a volunteer with the Cedar Rapids City Spring Cleanup.

June is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Jim) Kurtz, Nancy (Jim) McGough, and Diane (Joe) LaFontaine; six grandchildren: Traci Gardner, Alisha Hileman, Tiffany Ray, Tami Kurtz, Derek Kielkopf, Dustin Kielkopf; seven great grandchildren: Falon Gardner, Cairys Gardner, Hayleah Carlo, Noah Hileman, Maddie Hileman, Kerissa Kielkopf, Bentley Kielkopf; step great granddaughter Alena Lopez; sister-in-law Patty McDaniel; nephew Mike (Robin) McDaniel, and a niece Sue (Aaron) Votroubek. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husbands, infant sister Donna Jean McDaniel and a brother Keith McDaniel.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and there will be no formal services. Burial will in the Ottumwa Cemetery at a later date. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for June and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com