Peggy Jane Harmann

Peggy Jane Harmann, age 98, of Perry, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side at Eden Acres Campus of Perry Lutheran Homes. She died on Thursday, March 5, 2026, just 25 days shy of being 99 years old. Peggy was born on March 30, 1927, in Cooper, Iowa. She attended grade school and high school in Perry.

Peggy was a pioneer for women in the 1950s as a business owner of Peggy’s Café in Osceola, Iowa, at age 25. She also worked as a bookkeeper at Perry State Bank and Perry Light Company. She was a strong leader who was well respected by many. She was a wonderful mother and mentor with a deep, strong faith. She loved gardening and enjoyed her flowers very much. She enjoyed hosting holiday family dinners. She and Marv enjoyed traveling on cruises, as well as many bus trips, including trips to Prairie Meadows.

She was very involved at First Presbyterian, where she was a member for 76 years and the oldest member of the church. She was president of the church women’s organization, and she served as a deacon, an elder, and a longtime Sunday School teacher. She also accompanied youth on a mission trip. She reorganized and was president of BPW (Business and Professional Women). She was president of the Webster Garden Club and was president of the Dallas County Hospital Auxiliary.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Sheila Keene of Des Moines; Cheryl Conner (LeRoy) of Perry; and Beth Fulsang (Aaron) of Hastings, Florida; and stepson Randy Harmann. She is survived by 10 grandchildren: Michael Keene, Joel Keene, Bill Connor, Cindy Mertz, Mitch Connor, Tyler Draisey, Bree Draisey, Hope Coello, Emma Draisey, and Judy Harmann. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the family she adopted at Spring Valley Assisted Living.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marv Harmann; her parents, Hazel and Emmett Cehoe; stepson David Harmann; stepdaughter Tonia Straker; sister Ramona Leeka; and brother Larry Hurd. Her faithful cat, Katie, also preceded her.

Peggy’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel. Burial will take place at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Rescue League of Iowa or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

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