Peggy Ann Crees

Peggy A. Crees, 87, of Dysart died March 15, 2025, after a short illness.

She was born on November 28, 1937, in Des Moines, the daughter of Gerald and Mildred Raffensperger. She married Willis W. Crees on December 20, 1958, in Des Moines. The couple met at a dance at the YMCA in Des Moines, which is hard to believe because no person can recall ever seeing her on the dance floor. Peggy graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines and worked as a secretary at Bankers Life until moving to Waterloo in 1959, where she worked for Rath Packing Company as a secretary in the Administration Office.

The majority of Peggy’s life was spent being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Peggy kept a beautiful flower garden, liked to pick wild black raspberries, and watching the wildlife around her pond. Peggy watched over and took care of the animals on the farm, drove the tractor, and did whatever was needed (pretty good for a city girl!). She served as Director of the Black Hawk County Board of Mental Health and Independence Bancshares Inc. Peggy was also a member of the Dysart Women’s Club and Geneseo United Methodist Church.

Peggy enjoyed watching her grandchildren compete in sports and the show ring. She had a passion for quilting and re-furnishing furniture. She took great pride in purchasing items at auctions and garage sales and working on them until they were in like new condition and giving them to family members. Our homes are filled with Peggy’s beautiful work. Peggy enjoyed traveling and has been around the world. She liked to talk but did not listen so much. Peggy was genuine, told you what she thought and didn’t like B.S. and felt that everything was better with Ice Cream on top! She will be missed by all who knew her.

Peggy is survived by her son, David (Christy) Crees of Dysart; two daughters, Jill Crees of Marengo and Jan (Cory) Ahrendsen of Clutier; five grandchildren, Tyler, Leigh, Will (Kylie) Crees, Michael(Carly) and Adam Ahrendsen; four great-grandchildren, Cassius, Myles and Francis Crees and Blair Ahrendsen (2 weeks old!); one sister, Jeanine (Lawrence) Lyman; brother in laws, Ken (Bonnie) Crees and Leroy (Velma) Crees; and sister in laws, Barb Jones and Carol Crees.

Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, Willis Crees; her parents; mother and father-in-law, Michael and Ruth Crees; brothers-in-law, Carl Crees and Ralph Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Willa (Duane) Poore; sister-in-law, Patty Crees; and Clarence Crees (died in infancy).

Services will be Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Geneseo Methodist Church, 3127 115th St, Buckingham, with burial following at Dysart Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 21, 2025, from 9:00-10:45 am at Geneseo Methodist Church. As per Peggy’s request, “Don’t dress up for me.”

Memorials may be directed to the Union Middle School FFA and the Benton County Fair.