BARBARA PEPERKORN

Barbara Pence Peperkorn passed away at age 72 in St. Elizabeth Hospital under the watchful care of a wonderful staff of doctors and nurses. She was surrounded by her husband, Dave, three sons, Mark, Mike and Matt; along with her Pastor Lynne Spencer-Smith and two very dear friends, Larry and Alice Lewis. Her passing was very peaceful following a six-month fight against pancreatic cancer and complications that affected the kidneys.

Barb was born in Laconia, New Hampshire on November 28, 1943 and became the adopted daughter of Richard and Pauline (Altaffer) Mooney. She spent a short period of time in Puerto Rico with her parents and older sister until returning to the states and settling in Des Moines, Iowa. Her mother was raised on a farm in Red Oak, Iowa where Barb loved to spend her summers following her uncles around the family farm. As a family they moved to Des Moines where her dad began working at John Deere. To this day, as we pass a green John Deere we all pipe up with “Thank You, John.”

Barb graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and went to college at Colorado State College, now University of Northern Colorado where she met the love of her life, David. Together they became teachers and traveled to Simi Valley, California; back to Greeley, Colorado; on to Seattle, Washington, and finally landed in the wonderful Fox Cities. David became a teacher in the Neenah Join School District and Barb stayed home with the first son, Mark; second son, Michael, and third son, Matthew until he was old enough for preschool.

That began her wonderful, rewarding second career – Lake Edge Preschool teacher along with other members of the Congregational United Church of Christ of Neenah/Menasha. After many years she became the Director and remained such until her retirement in 2006. She was a lover of everything having to do with children and had a calming manner for dealing with all situations.

Following her retirement, grand children started to appear and they became the love of her life. You seldom saw Barb without a baby in arms if there was one around to hold. The church was always a major part of her life and that was reflected by the many volunteer activities and joys she accepted so graciously. She was a great cook and would volunteer for any potlucks and/or the Community Table. She took up knitting to continue the gift that her mother passed on to many, many children giving stocking caps to the Christmas Giving. Bridge was a second love and she played with many friends throughout the Valley.

Her family was her life which included extended family in Iowa, the Altaffers, Stuhr's, Phillips' and Kinney's; the Peperkorn's spread throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, and California; and her sister's family in Des Moines, the Coggeshalls.

Barb was preceded in death by her father and mother, Richard and Pauline Mooney; her sister, Susan Coggeshall; a grandson, Alex Peperkorn infant son of Mark and Wendy; many aunts and uncles.; sister-in-law, Susan Peperkorn; brother-in-law, William Koplar; parent's-in-law, Wilbur and Ardis Peperkorn.

Barbara is survived by: David Peperkorn, her husband; their sons Mark (Wendy) Peperkorn and their children Chase, Sydney, and Sophia; Michael (Kristine) Peperkorn and their children Ethan and Grace; Matthew (and special friend Mandy Buss) Peperkorn; her nieces and nephews Richard (Tina) Coggeshall and their children Jordan and Shannon, step children Justin and Angie; Christopher (Nicole) Coggeshall and their children, Kristin and Katy; and her sister's husband Harris Coggeshall. She is also survived by David's family, brother Dennis Peperkorn, and two sisters Lonita Peperkorn and Janalee Cruz plus many more nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to especially thank the wonderful staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, 3rd Floor and 2nd floor; Dr. Goggins and his entire staff were so compassionate and helpful; the staff of physicians at Fox Valley Nephrology Association; the dialysis and plazmaphresis staff and the staff at Rennes Rehab Center in Appleton. Your care, concern, and love made Barb's last days go very peaceful.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 7th at the Congregational United Church of Christ of Neenah/Menasha, 1511 Nicolet Boulevard, Neenah, with Rev. Lynne Spencer-Smith officiating. The visitation will be on Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM AT THE CHURCH and again on Thursday, 9:00 AM until the service begins. In lieu of flowers please feel free to provide a memorial to Lake Edge Preschool, Best Friends, or Community Table.