Peggy Lee Gustafson

PEGGY LEE GUSTAFSON Peggy Lee Gustafson (Chase), 77, passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2025, surrounded by love. Born on June 23, 1947, to Donald and Dorothy Chase, Peggy grew up in rural Iowa, where she graduated from Colo Community Schools in 1965. She attended Ellsworth Community College from 1965 to 1967 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Iowa State University in 1970. She later completed her Master of Science in Education from Western Illinois University in 1987. Peggy devoted her life to education. Over a 30-year teaching career with Davenport Community Schools and Kansas City, Kansas Schools, she taught kindergarten, elementary science, middle school science and computers, and high school science. Her heart, however, was in middle school science, and she spent the bulk of her career inspiring students at Smart Junior High and Williams Junior High. A passionate advocate for her colleagues and her community, she proudly served as a union representative and remained a strong Democrat throughout her life. After moving to Trinidad, Colorado, Peggy became an active and beloved member of Zion Lutheran Church. She served on the church board and dedicated countless hours to the feeding ministry, Five Loaves, and the annual Thanksgiving meal. She also volunteered with the Sayre Senior Center, the Trinidad Animal Shelter, and the Trinidad Welcome Center, giving her time freely wherever she was needed. Peggy was an avid sports fanespecially of Iowa State, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. She loved watching any sport, anytime, and her enthusiasm was contagious. Some of her happiest moments were spent cheering on Iowa State football and basketball with her family. Fittingly, on the day of her passing, she watched both the Iowa State men's and women's basketball teams win alongside her sister Sue and her daughter Denise. Peggy's greatest joy was her granddaughter, Adeline. She loved her so deeply that she moved from Iowa to Colorado to be close to her, and the two shared a special, daily bond filled with laughter, generosity, and love. Peggy is survived by her daughters, Denise Davis (Brian Dykes) and Deborah Davis; her granddaughter, Adeline Davis-Dykes; her sisters, Sue Chase (Mark Graves) and Rebecca Klatt (David Klatt); her nieces and nephews, Lindsay Carrelli, Chris Chase, Aaron Klatt, and Heath Klatt; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Dorothy Chase; her brother, Charles Chase, and his wife, Kathy; and her niece, Michelle Klatt. Peggy leaves behind a rich legacy of givingthrough her career, her service, her friendships, and her unwavering dedication to her family. She made friends wherever she went, always outgoing, open-hearted, and ready to help. A celebration of Life will be held to honor Peggy on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 1100 at Zion Lutheran Church in Trinidad. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Trinidad, Colorado.