Danny L. Peters

Danny Lee Peters, son of George and Milda (Wegner) Peters, was born at home on April 15, 1931, in Aspinwall Iowa. In October of 1934, he was baptized by Pastor Johann M. Ansorge at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and was confirmed there on April 14, 1946. Dan spent his early childhood in Aspinwall, attending the two-room schoolhouse until they moved to Manning in 1942. He finished his regular schooling in Manning and graduated with the High School Class of 1949. He was a proud member of Manning's 1948 State Basketball Championship Team. While in school, during the summers, Dan learned to paint from his father and worked for the Milwaukee Railroad in Manilla and Aspinwall. After he graduated, he spent six months at the Telegraphy and Business School in Chillicothe, MO where he became an accomplished telegrapher. He then got a job in Council Bluffs where he worked for the railroad until he was married in 1952. During his time in Council Bluffs, Dan was a substitute telegrapher for vacationing senior positions which gave him the opportunity to move around to various small railroad towns. It was during this time that he became a very talented baseball player, playing with different local teams.

On June 15, 1952, Dan was united in marriage to his High School Sweetheart, Lois Wilhelm, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Five children: Michael, Mark, Julie, Jeffrey and Gregory, were born to this union. A few short months after his marriage he was drafted into the United States Army. Dan served proudly in Korea and was an ammunition runner during the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and was promoted twice during his service. In February of 1954, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

He then returned to Iowa and went to school at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa where he graduated with a degree in Forestry. While there, he was a member of the 1957 baseball team that took third place at the College World Series in Omaha, NE.

His 25-year forestry career took him to the Black Hills in South Dakota, and Dillon, Pagosa Springs, Steamboat Springs, and Monte Vista, in Colorado. Upon retiring from the Forest Service, he followed the generations of Peters men before him and started his own painting business. He continued to paint well into his 80's, though the latter years were mostly devoted to small community projects and helping family and friends.

In June of 1991, after the passing of his mother the previous Christmas, Dan and Lois moved back to Manning. Dan was a very active community member in every community in which he lived and Manning was no different. Within a few years of moving back, he served as Manning's mayor for 5 years and was instrumental in many of the major community projects going on during those years. Mainly Heritage Park Farm, the Hausbarn, the Trinity Church relocation, the development & restoration of Great Western Park, early design of the trail system, much of which was adopted in the current design, and the Manning Veterans Wall. He served proudly with the VFW Honor Guard having just retiring his active status early in November at the age of 90.

These past 20 years, Dan and Lois spent their winters in Harlingen Texas, but have been here in Manning full time since Lois passed away on December 8, 2020, exactly one year and one day from Dan's.

Dan fell ill on Sunday and, due to his specific medical needs, was transferred to St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa where he joined Lois and his Lord and Savior in the evening of December 9, 2021.

Dan is survived by his five children: Mike and Callie Peters, Bozeman, MT; Mark and Lynne Peters, Stagecoach, CO; Julie and Jim Rabbitt, Steamboat Springs, CO; Jeff Peters, Pagosa Springs, CO; and Greg and Randy Peters of Manning; 12 grandchildren: Daniel Peters, Darcy (David) Goodson, Michaela (Josh) Quinlan, Michael (Stephanie) Rabbitt, Timothy Rabbitt, Emily (Will) Lamb, Meghan Rabbitt, Wesley (Whitney) Peters, Nicholas Peters, Kristen Peters, Alison Peters and Nathan Peters; 6 great-grandchildren: Ava Peters, Dorothy Goodson, Charlotte Goodson, Micah Quinlan, Julie Lamb and Harlyn Rabbitt; a brother David (Dee) Peters, Plano, TX; a sister Cynthia Genzen of Manning; a sister-in-law Joann Pratt of Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois, two brothers-in-law Larry Genzen and John Pratt, a granddaughter Kelsey Peters, and a grandson Jonathan Peters.

Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa

Rev. Jonathan Conner, Officiating

Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "For All The Saints", Timothy Conner, Organist

Casket Bearers are Dan's Family

Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Dan's Grandchildren: Daniel Peters, Darcy Goodson, Michael Rabbitt, Timothy Rabbitt, Emily Lamb, Wesley Peters, Michaela Quinlan, Meghan Rabbitt, Alison Peters, Nicholas Peters,, Nathan Peters, Kristen Peters and
+Kelsey Peters ~ In Memoriam

Interment with Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard, Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 3517 and American Legion Post 22 at the Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa