Anita M. “Peggy” West, 78, of Blakesburg, died at 4:43 p.m. March 7, 2026 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines after a recent heart attack.
She was born May 21, 1947 in Ottumwa to Blaine and Sarah Ann Bower Rupe. She married Dennis M. “Danny” Ulin on May 19, 1967 and he preceded her in death May 29, 1977. She married Steven Glen West July 21, 1978.
A 1965 graduate of Cardinal High School, she had worked at Standard Kollsman and helped her husband, Danny on the farm. She had worked as a cook at the Elks and for 14 years at Elaine’s in Blakesburg. Affectionately known as “Ma West”, Peggy attended Indian Hills Community College, earning her Paramedic certification. She, along side her husband, Steve, worked almost 30 years as EMT/Paramedic for ORMICS at Ottumwa Regional Health Center and as volunteers with the Blakesburg Fire & Rescue. She had also worked as a Paramedic for the Centerville Hospital.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Ottumwa.
Surviving is her husband, Steve; their children, Sandra Jane Hoene of Seymore, IN, Johnny C. (Mary) Ulin of Milo and Jody C. (Mike) Davidson of Bloomfield; 9 grandchildren, Conner A. (Ashton) Hoene, Mayson (Braden) Nolan, Adam West, Lance (Reyna) Ulin, Luke Ulin, Emily (Greg) Comstock, Jacob (Katie) Davidson and Logan (Jessica) Thomas; along with 9 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a step-son, Steven Wayne West; two grandchildren, Cody A. Deaton and Sarah Ulin; four brothers, James B. Rupe, Jack A. Rupe, Daniel R. “Dick” Rupe and William H. “Bill” Rupe; three sisters, Marjorie L. Martsching, Bonnie I. Batterson and Nellie L. Bradshaw.
Visitation will be open after 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10th at Reece Funeral Home with her family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in Blakesburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or Blakesburg Fire & Rescue.
