 FRANCES "JODI" PETERSON Frances "Jodi" Peterson, 88, a 50-year Las Vegas Valley resident, passed away peacefully at her home of 20 years, Sept. 10, 2012. Born July 12, 1924, Jodi was raised in foster care in rural Minnesota, where she loved animals and airplanes, and at 16 earned her private pilot license, and soon after bought her first airplane. She owned and flew many airplanes in her life, including a military surplus B-17 bomber, a glider, and a bi-wing aerobatic plane in which she starred at the Nevada State Fair in Reno. Jodi was a waitress on the Las Vegas Strip before starting a wild animal import business in Central America. She lived in a jungle hut for several years, where she earned the moniker "Jungle Jodi." Her partner, who was like a father to her, was Charles "Combat" Hudson, the most-decorated bombardier over Europe in World War II, author of the book "Combat," and later a successful businessman in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Jodi was blessed with many great friends in her life. Later, Jodi leased/managed the Tonopah, Nev. airport, and then owned a popular restaurant at the Oxnard, Calif. airport. Jodi then succeeded at buying properties, beautifying them and then selling them, without even advertising them, including one near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. She loved to travel, was generous, independent, a hard-worker, and the best friend a person could ever have. Jodi had many animals in her life, and she loved them all as she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with all her heart and soul. She will be interred at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 21, at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Jodi will be missed greatly, but remembered fondly.
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Arrangements under the direction of:
Palm Green Valley Funeral Home
7600 S Eastern Ave | Las Vegas, NV 89123 | (702) 464-8500
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Las Vegas, NV (702) 464-8500
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