Teresa Ruth Peterson-Smith, age 65, passed away peacefully at home in Boone, Iowa on Friday, March 29, 2024, following a lengthy struggle with peritoneal cancer. She was surrounded by family and her beloved cat, Addy. Home hospice care was provided by the wonderful staff of Suncrest Hospice, who helped make her comfortable and to be at home.
Teresa was born on July 26, 1958, to Anne (Murphy) Peterson and Richard Peterson. Her parents operated a farm in Anita, Iowa for most of their lives. They had two sons, Brian (Sandy) and Bruce.
Teresa graduated from Anita High School in 1976 and received a degree in accounting from the American Institute of Business in 1978. Teresa became a Certified Municipal Clerk and was a member of the Iowa Municipal Finance Association.
Teresa began her career in local government with the City of Johnston in 1978. She served as the city clerk for many of her 15 years with the city. In 1992, she married Scott A. Smith, and shortly after the pair moved to the suburbs of Chicago in 1993 as Scott pursued his career. While in Chicagoland, Teresa worked for the Western Springs Public Works Department and as the executive assistant to the Naperville Public Library director.
The pair returned to Iowa in 1998 where they settled down in Boone. Teresa was hired by the City of Nevada where she worked for many years, several as the city clerk. She finished out her local government career as the city clerk for Kelly, Iowa before retiring in 2017.
Teresa became an Iowa State University Extension Master Gardener in 2000. She found tremendous joy in working with plants and could often be found in her vegetable garden and tending her extensive flower gardens. Teresa was also an avid quilter and seamstress. The highlight of her quilting hobby came when she won a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. Following her retirement, she became active in quilting groups in Boone where she made some very close and dear friends.
Teresa was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents. She is survived by her husband Scott, brothers Brian and Bruce, and her sister-in-law Sandy Kellet. She is also survived by Grace Mackrill, who was like a second mother to Teresa and numerous cousins. Teresa was especially fond of the two children, Lindsay and Brandon, of her childhood friends Jean and Jeff Gregersen.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Anita United Methodist Church in Anita, IA, with Pastor Jessica Wietzke officiating the service. Visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 a.m. till the start of the service at the Anita Methodist Church also on Friday.
Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery following the memorial service. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the fellowship hall of the Anita Methodist Church.
Memorials may be directed to the Boone County Humane Society in memory of Teresa and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50023.
A celebration of life gathering for Teresa’s friends will also be held in Boone at a date to be determined.
Condolences may be left at www.schmidtfamilyfh.com. The staff of the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita are handling the arrangements.
