Peggy Kellow

Peggy Lynn Kellow passed away peacefully at the age of 73 years old on December 2, 2023 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on September 23, 1950, Peggy was a lifelong resident of Iowa and a member of the Class of 1969 of Indianola High School. She loved her community, family, and God and touched countless peoples’ lives.

Peggy was a kind, giving, compassionate, patient, and faithful family member and friend. She not only loved her own children but loved other people’s children as she worked as a home daycare provider for years. Later on she was a foster and adoptive parent, adopting 6 more children, making her the mother of 11 children who were all blessed to call her mom.

She was a member of the Indianola Church of the Nazarene and later attended the Indianola Grace Evangelical Church. Her faith in Jesus was the cornerstone of her life and the center of everything she did. She always saw the good in others, and her smile and sense of humor made her so much fun to be around and so easy to love.

She was a woman of many passions. She loved cooking and her family remembers spending time with her in her kitchen as she made chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes or made one of her pies or fudge. She would often brighten someone’s day with things that she had baked. She knew no stranger and loved talking to anyone and everyone. Her life’s motto, “If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth overdoing” was an accurate picture of how she did everything, especially how she loved her family. She also enjoyed bowling, bingo, and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Peggy was married for 33 years and is survived by Tod Kellow; by her children Tamara Brooks, Marci Kellow, Stacy (Michael) Fuester, Kristin (Detavious) Smith, Erika Kellow, Kiejah Kellow, and Nikiea (Colin) Westbrook, Jeremy Kellow, Trey Kellow, and Isaiah Kellow; her sister Leona Reetz; her grandchildren Breanna Kellow-Brooks, Bionca Kellow-Brooks, Ava Fuester, Ryker Fuester, Jaidyn Fuester, Madison Kellow, Olivia Kellow, Gabriel Kellow, Noah Kellow, Aiden Kellow, Trinity Smith, Jaylin Smith, Jazelle Smith, Tavian Smith, Samuel Wilking, Jasarah Smith, and Declan Westbrook; and her great grandchildren Jasper Brooks and Liam Lee.

She is also survived by many cousins, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Marcella Bishop, her siblings Loretta "Jo" Miller, Garrett McNeeley, Garold McNeeley, Donald McNeeley, and Gerold Bishop, her son Steven Eric Kellow, and her grandson Maddox Kai Kellow.

Public visitation will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 am at Peterson Funeral Home, 602 East Salem Avenue, Indianola, Iowa. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm, with burial at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery, Indianola, Iowa.

Peggy's life was an example of love, kindness, and strength. She loved her family and she loved God with all her heart. She will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know her. Her family takes comfort in knowing this is not a goodbye. It is merely a “see you later.”

We encourage you to share your favorite memories and photos of Peggy on her memorial page, as we remember and celebrate her extraordinary life. The family has stated that any monetary donations will be used for the continued care of Peggy’s youngest son, Isaiah Kellow, who is a senior at Indianola High School this year.