Janice was born on February 14, 1940 in Atlanta, Missouri, the only child of Delbert and Anna Lou Thompson Farmer. She grew up on their cattle farm with her cousins as frequent companions. Janice graduated from Atlanta High School in 1958, and went on to study at Northeast Missouri State University. There she met Cecil Lavern (C.L.) Peterson, the professor's assistant in her chemistry class, and they were married on December 17, 1960. They would be happily married for nearly 64 years until her passing.
After her marriage and college graduation, Janice was employed as a schoolteacher in Greentop, Missouri, teaching High School English and Home Economics, while C.L. finished medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. The couple had brief stays in Michigan and Oklahoma before settling in the Quad Cities in 1966, where they lived for the rest of her life.
Janice became a mother with the arrival of her first child in 1965, and then again in 1968, 1974 and 1976. While her family became her primary focus, Janice was active in the local community for her entire life. Janice was a member of First Baptist Church of Davenport for over 50 years, where she volunteered on Missionary Boards, taught Sunday school, served with the American Baptist Women organization, and played in the hand bell choir. She was very active in the Colonel Davenport Historical Foundation serving as tour guide and various officer duties, and she was a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels organization for 50 years.
In retirement, Janice loved to travel, including trips to China, Russia, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, the Panama Canal, Egypt, Canada and many cruises. She was an active member in PEO Chapter JS and the Shalom Giving Circle. She loved music, reading and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Janice is survived by her husband Dr. C.L. Peterson; her children Brad Peterson of Davenport, Janan Rustan (Dan) of Iowa City, Eric Peterson (Jennifer) of Fort Collins, CO, and Ryan Peterson (Mary) of Johns Creek, GA; grandchildren Holli Whitacre, Max Rustan, Alyssa Peterson, Nolan Peterson, Ella Peterson, Addy Peterson, Grant Rustan, Luke Rustan, Owen Peterson, Nora Peterson; great-grand children Connor, Kinnick, Carter, Autumn, Aurora, and Kade. She leaves behind an extended family of loving cousins and other family members.
A visitation will be held at Weerts funeral home in Davenport on Friday September 20, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday September 21, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Davenport located at 1401 Perry Street, Davenport. There will be a visitation at 10:00 until time of service. Janice will be laid to rest in Greentop, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to First Baptist Church of Davenport or the Colonel Davenport Historical Foundation.
