Patsy A. Peterson-Gray

Patsy A. Peterson-Gray

Patsy A. Peterson-Gray, 71, of Fort Dodge, died Saturday, May 30, 2009 at her residence.

Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2009 at the Bruce-Graham Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Patsy Alice Pape (Gray) was born in 1937 in Rockford, Illinois. She later attended middle school and high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

After high school, Patsy was an employee of Lillians dress shop on Central Avenue in Fort Dodge. She met and later married Keith T. Peterson in 1957. Patsy became a homemaker, raised two daughters, Laurel and Julie, and later helped raise two grandchildren as well as caring for her mother, Elizabeth.

Patsy considered herself fortunate to have lived in Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Nebraska and California before finally settling, once again, in her favorite hometown of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Patsy was widowed in 1996 and later married Melvin Gray of Algona, Iowa, on September 24, 2004. Patsy and Mel made their happy home together in Fort Dodge until her recent death.

Patsy was a treasured friend to many and sincerely enjoyed sharing her love of Scripture and music with the residents of nursing homes throughout Fort Dodge during her last few years.

Patsys life was deeply enriched by the devout study of the Holy Word and found comfort in favorite passages such as John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Elizabeth Pape, and her first husband, Keith T. Peterson. She is survived by her husband, Melvin Gray, daughters Laurel Zargari and Julie Nelson and son-in-law, Jon Nelson; stepchildren, Dale and Susan Gray, Mike and Michelle Gray, and Craig and Missy Gray. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home