She graduated from Rock Island High School in 1951. Peg worked for the Maes Grocery Store starting at the age of 10, then Jack Cleaners and finally the Rock Island Public Schools, where after doing different jobs she became manager of the Franklin and Edison Junior High School cafeterias. Then known for her baking, she went back to Washington Junior High School as a baker. She finally retired when her husband died, but just couldn't stay away from the kids and became a crossing guard at Jordan Catholic School; the corner of 24th Street and 28th Avenue was hers.
Her life was one of volunteering and helping others. They were not wealthy people, but anyone who knocked on their door and needed money or a helping hand was never turned away.
Peg received three Distinguished Service Scrolls from Frances Willard Elementary, Franklin and Edison Junior Highs and one from the Rock Island/Milan Council. Her husband always said she never knew the word "NO.”
She was treasurer of the Ladies Civic Bowling League for 25 years, president of the Rock Island Evening Lions Club Ladies Auxiliary for 13 years, feeding the blind and disabled and organizing fundraisers for the club. For 21 years, she did the basketball banquets for Rock Island High School, making ceramic statues and decorating for the event. She was a member of the Little Friends of Basketball, she received an award from the Rock Island Board of Education for being a Legend of the Rock Island School District and was inducted into the Rock Island High School Hall of Fame for the Class of 1951 by the Alumni Association.
Peg was involved for 26 years with the Rock Island Girls Softball program, since its beginning. She served on the board, coached and ran the concession stand, and was honored by them by its naming as "Peg's Place.”
In her youth she was a member of the Rainbow Girls, was the Worthy Advisor, and was the State of Illinois' representative to the State of Connecticut, receiving the Grand Cross of Colors award.
She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, the Rock Island/Milan Booster Club and also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, receiving her 50-year membership in 2002.
Peg and Roger did everything together, and she always said Roger should have been honored, too, as without him, it never could have been done.
Oh, how she loved her family and friends. They attended all the games they could for their friends' grandchildren, as theirs lived out of town. She loved her "Rocks,” playing cards and being with friends.
She leaves behind her daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Roger Courtney, Medina, Ohio, and Debbie and Bill Boswell, Wentzville, Mo.; grandchildren, Roger Courtney, Lloyd Courtney, Matthew Boswell, Bradley Boswell, Amanda Boswell and Ashley Boswell; brother-in-law and his wife; many cousins; and special friends, Margie Hoover, Gary Freers, Amber and Jeff Moritz, Barb Brunsvold, Judy and Bob Blomgren, Lisa Wymers, Dori Garro, Kris Van Earwage, and the Versluis family, who were family to her. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roger; and brother, Otto W. Kurtz.
This obituary was originally available at www.wheelanpressly.com.
