Peggy Sweet

Peggy Sweet, born Margaret Mary Kessel, passed away on December 23, 2025.  Peggy was born
on December 18, 1932 in Brighton, Iowa. Peggy’s parents, Ann Dougall and Clem Kessel, divorced
when Peggy was a young child, so she was known as Peggy Dougall throughout her childhood.
Peggy graduated from Washington Iowa High School in 1950 and married Joe Sweet the same year
on November 22. Even though Peggy was only 17 when she married, she was quick to say that she
was “almost 18.”  Between 1950 and 1996, Peggy and Joe moved frequently for Joe’s work, but
good friends and happy memories always brought them back to Knoxville.
Even though the numerous moves were driven by Joe’s career, Peggy kept busy at each stop,
working in a variety of office jobs.  But everything changed for Peggy in 1980, when she moved to
Coon Rapids, Iowa.  Peggy’s friend, Nancy Grettenberg, gave her a facial using Mary Kay
Cosmetics.  Peggy came home from the facial, and, at the age of 48, announced that she was going
to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics.
Peggy was determined to fund the initial investment, so she joined a crew that summer walking
beans.  It is impossible to state how important Mary Kay was to Peggy.  She was successful.  She
became a director, recruited many people, and sold a lot of product.  Yes, there was a time when she
even drove a pink car.  But Mary Kay was not just a job for Peggy, it was a significant part of her life. 
Mary Kay kept Peggy connected to the world.  She never quit.  As she aged, she had to make
adjustments.  When it became more difficult for her to deliver products, she offered a small discount
if the customer would pick up the product from her house.  She learned to use a computer to place
her orders and eventually embraced the iPad.  When her grandchildren visited, Peggy would be
working on her iPad, wearing her Apple Watch, and selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. 
Peggy remained engaged and productive until the end. On December 18, to celebrate her 93d
birthday, Peggy went out to dinner.  Many friends stopped by, or called, to wish her happy birthday. 
On December 19, a few days before she died, she had a manicure and pedicure, then raced home
because Fed Ex had delivered some Mary Kay items that she needed.  When she got home from
the salon, she packed up an order and got it in the mail before the post office closed at 4:30 pm.  On
December 21, she had a stroke and died peacefully on December 23. 
Peggy will always be remembered for her fundamental grace, kindness, and generosity, love of
family and friends, and her extraordinary partnership with Joe.
Joe and Peggy were married for 74 years.  They had 5 children: Michael, Susan, Mathew, Mark
(Young Hee) and Patrick (Kelley Conway).  Peggy has 5 grandchildren (Katelyn Ewaskiew, Brian
Abolins, Bradley Sweet, Sullivan Sweet and Charlotte Sweet) and 2 great-grandchildren (George
Ewaskiew and Lauren Ewaskiew).
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, and by two of their children (Mike and Matt).
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation or
donating to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville, IA.