Challis Irene Aper

1933 - 2025

Challis Irene Aper
Born: November 8, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA
Died: March 21, 2025 in Mesa, AZ
Challis Aper passed from this life in Mesa, Arizona, on March 21, 2025. She was with members of her loving family at the time of her death. She was born November 8, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, the eldest child of Charles Dell Peterson and Lola Ruth Clifton Peterson. She grew up in Sterling and Rock Falls, Illinois, graduating from Rock Falls High School in 1951.
She held a variety of jobs before she married Gary Lee Aper on May 14, 1952 in Rock Falls, Illinois. He was in the Navy at the time, so over the next four years they moved around the country as he was variously stationed at home ports in Norfolk, Virginia; Alameda, California; and Bremerton, Washington. In 1956 Gary was honorably discharged from the Navy, and they returned to Sterling to await the birth of their first child. Over the next few years they had two more sons, who grew up in Sterling and in rural Dixon.
She worked in jobs as varied as candling eggs, waiting tables, and packing builder's hardware. She worked closely with Gary when he became a partner in the Blackhawk Luncheonette, a restaurant that did business in Sterling for many years. After leaving the restaurant business she worked at Lawrence Brothers Manufacturing in Sterling for over 25 years. After retirement she was a very active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon, Illinois.
Eventually, in the interest of finding a home in a warmer climate, Gary and Challis moved to Mesa, Arizona. They again became active members at Victory Lutheran Church, a congregation near their home. In recent years they moved to Broadway Mesa Village in Mesa to assure that they had the assistance and support needed to manage day to day. Challis was especially fond of and grateful to Broadway Mesa Village staff for their kindness and care.
Her husband, Gary Aper, her parents, Charles and Lola Peterson, her brother, Charles Peterson, Jr., and her daughter-in-law, Linda Aper, preceded her in death. Challis is survived by her sons Jeff (Sandy) Aper, Rick Aper, and Marty (Jacque) Aper, her sister-in-law Hazel (Hy) Peterson, her brother Steven Peterson, and her grandchildren, William Aper, Jonathan (Casse) Aper, Michael (Bethany) Aper, Erica Aper, and Ian Aper. Of all her many jobs and responsibilities, it was her role as a mother to her sons that she valued above all and gave her a deep sense +of pride and accomplishment.
She is remembered for her determined spirit, work ethic, and commitment to building her Christian faith. All who knew her and loved her will miss her very much.