OSKALOOSA — Margaret (Peggy) Gordon, 97, of Plymouth, Minn., and formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, while under the care of North Memorial Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Center, Minn.  

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday morning, Sept. 21, at the Central United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Boomershine and Pastor Linda Livingston officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will be in Forest Cemetery. Local arrangements are entrusted to Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central United Methodist Church of Oskaloosa, Iowa or North Memorial Hospice, Attn. Development Specialist, 3500 France Ave. N. – Suite 101, Robbinsdale, MN 55422.

Peggy was born on Nov. 22, 1914, the youngest of 10 children to W.E. and Mary Elvira (Shroyer) Phillips of New Sharon.

Peggy’s life was defined by her love of family, her faith, and her love and pride of her extended family. She attended elementary and high school in New Sharon. After graduating from Normal School at the age of 18 she began her teaching career. During her young adult years she furthered her education at Iowa State Teachers College where she received a two-year teaching certificate. She returned to teach in several country schools and then at University Park. During this time she continued her education at William Penn University and while teaching at Webster Elementary completed her degree in Elementary Education in 1969. She retired in 1980 after more than 31 years of teaching.

Peggy and her husband, Claire (Brother) Gordon Jr., loved Oskaloosa and she had many fond memories of the years they raised their family there. She was a long-time active member of the Central United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, RHO Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, IO Chapter of PEO, King’s Daughters, and Y’s Menettes.

Peggy’s final years were spent in Minnesota where she lived near her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Gary Grey. She made many new friends during those years and was admired by all who knew her for her quick wit and kind, gentle nature. She enjoyed being at the Grey’s lake home and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peggy was an avid Hawkeye fan, which proved to be a sense of pride while residing in the land of the Gophers.

Those left to honor her memory are her children: Dean (Jeanine) Gordon, of Centennial, Colo.; Lynn (Gary) Grey, of Plymouth, Minn.; Teri Blasser, of Largo, Fla.; her six grandchildren: Heidi Svendsen, of Maple Grove, Minn.; Alyson (Jeremey) Carel, of Otsego, Minn.; Brad (Laura) Gordon, of St. Paul, Minn.; Bart (Jeanelle) Gordon, of Fort Collins, Colo.; Jennifer (Tim) Blasser-Mulligan, of Forest Hills, N.Y.; James (Melissa) Blasser, of Largo, Fla.; and her six great-grandchildren: Alex Svendsen; Kaylin, Olivia, and Tanner Carel; Elias, Athalia, and Isadora Blasser-Mulligan; Fenix and Genesis Gordon.

Peggy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Claire (Bro) Gordon; nine siblings: Marvin, Claire, Robert, Harry, Glen, Alice Shoemaker, Doris Peterson, Gladys Roenspiess and a stillborn infant girl; and special nieces and nephews: Janet Livingston, Joyce Gabbert, and Byard Phillips.