Melissa Ann Peeler

Melissa was born October 5, 1958 in Los Angeles, California to Stephen Brody and Sharon Brody Arthur. She graduated in 1976 from San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California. She received her B.A. in Foreign Languages from Iowa State University in 1981. In 1980 she studied at the Universidad de Educacion de Burgos in Burgos, Spain. Melissa was active as a Junior Counselor at the Santa Barbara YMCA and was volunteer of the year in 1972.

Melissa’s commitment to her community continued after she moved to Iowa. While attending Iowa State University she was very active in campus organizations. Melissa was a Senior Class officer as well as an active member of the Student Alumni Association. She was also quite active in Republican politics chairing the Students for Howard Baker for President Committee during the 1979 Presidential Caucus. On December 20, 1981 Melissa married Donald D. Peeler at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Des Moines. At the time of her marriage Melissa was active in the Des Moines Junior and P.E.O. organizations. She soon became active in these organizations in Omaha, Nebraska where she was instrumental in starting the Ident-a-Kid program of fingerprinting children. Today this project is affiliated with the Omaha Police Department and the Missing Children program.

She gave birth to two girls Lauren E. on January 16, 1985 and Alyson M. on May 2, 1987. Melissa never missed a Veishea after graduation until May 2, 1987 when Alyson was born and has only missed one other since. Melissa has been employed at the Marriott International Reservation Center since February 1982 and is currently a Manager of Reservation Sales. Melissa has been active in the Laura Dodge Elementary School PTA since 1990 and is currently the President of this organization. Melissa has organized the schools annual Grandparents Day for each of the past 5 years. This event has grown to involve almost 200 Grandparents in the education of their Grandchildren.

During her days off she spends time in Lauren and Allison’s classrooms helping their teachers. She is also a member of the Maple Village Country Club Board of Directors. Melissa’s commitment to her children includes being a stage mom for their dance recitals and a taxi driver to and from dance soccer tae kwondo and 4-H activities.

She started a 4-H club in her community known as the Dream Catchers. Melissa has been on the Douglas County Pee-Wee 4-H Council for the past 5 years and has served as a Superintendent of the Douglas County Fair the past 3 years. She is a member of a Douglas County Family Community and Education Club Just for Fun and enjoys the many activities of this organization.

Melissa continues to support Iowa State University as a life time member of the Alumni Association and a member of the Cardinal Club. Since 1989 Melissa and her family have attended each home football game and several away games. She continues to support ISU by attending as many sporting events as possible. I am proud to honor my wife Melissa Peeler by placing her name in this Plaza of Heroines. My wife's dedication to her family and her community makes her a worthy recipient of this honor.

I can think of no better way to honor the woman I love, my best friend and mother of my two beautiful daughters than to include her name among the others that have made such a significant difference to our world. There is no doubt that without the love and support of my wife Melissa I would not be where I am today. Many times she has provided the strength and opportunity for me to succeed. For this I will always be grateful and indebted to her.

12/19/94

Paver Inscription:

"Peeler Women
Georgene
Melissa A.
Lauren E.
Alyson M."

Brick also located at: H19