Winfield Crooked Creek Days 2025 Ambassadors

Anita Ross Peters was born Oct. 3, 1942 and raised in Winfield, the daughter of Virgie & Gerald Ross, who helped build the Twin Lakes Golf Course in 1967 and were the groundskeepers. In Anita's childhood she and her sister took dance lessons and they appeared on channel 6 Golden Opportunity Show. She sang and played the accordion and was on the Quincy Radio station. In school she was active in Band, Vocal and cheer leading.

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Dan was born Oct. 5, 1940. He attended Cotter school and graduated from Columbus Community School. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball.

Anita and Dan tied the knot Dec. 3, 1960, at the Winfield Methodist Church. This year they will celebrate their 65th anniversary.

After marriage Anita's first job was at Smith Craft her gross pay was $67.00 a week. Dan worked at Weber & Huston 54 hours a week with $74.00 a week gross pay.

On Sept. 18,1964 a daughter Terri Jo was born she married Greg Townsend and gave them 2 grandchildren Collin & Rachel. Collin married Lauren and gave them 2 great grandchildren Green Leigh and Crew John.

Dan was a sale manager in Illinois and traveled a lot. In November 1968 they decided to be more of a family and spend more time together, so they bought Van's Plumbing and Heating in Winfield it became Dan's Plumbing and Heating where they did plumbing, HVAC, electrical and sold and serviced Whirlpool appliances. Anita was very active in the business. She was secretary, treasurer, pipe threader, salesperson, dispatcher, bookkeeper and inventory control. They valued their customers as the most important people in the world. Craig Kongable worked for them for 33 years. A lot of other good help who worked for them. Bill Davis was the first who worked nights & weekends while also working during the week for Bunker Welding.

Highlights from their years in business were installing HVAC at 9 churches, HVAC at Fleetway in Muscatine, HVAC & Plumbing at Jack's, Tom- A -Hawk and Westview Apartments. Dan and Anita won many trips and awards with Lennox and Whirlpool.

They had customers through 3 generations of families. Dan's van with his motto “A full flush is better than a full house,” was a well-known part of Winfield for many years.

Also to help supplement income, Anita and Irene Pankoke held craft shows where she specialized in mincemeat, homemade noodles, canned chicken and canned beef. In her spare time she made leisure suits, shirts and dresses.

Dan served as President of Winfield Chamber of Commerce and was a participant in recruiting Dr. Nordyke to bring his practice to Winfield. He also served on the board of Twin Lakes.

Dan and Anita say being a Shriner and helping kids is an important part of our lives. They would like to thank everyone who helps with this.

After 41 years due to Dan's diagnosis of colon cancer they retired in November 2009. Due to more health issues, they sold their property in Mission, Texas and sold their home along the golf course. Dan and Anita then built at 407 North Olive Street to eliminate steps.

They are both happy and proud to be a part of Winfield and serving our customers for 41 years. They enjoy their family, friend, and flowers since retirement.

Dan volunteers at Twin Lakes, and enjoys playing cards on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings.

Dan and Anita appreciate being selected as the 2025 Crooked Creek Days Ambassadors.