Vera was born is San Francisco, California to Richard and Vera Schottsteadt. She had 4 brothers and 1 sister. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from University of San Francisco. Vera received her master’s degree from the University of Portland. In 1979 she re-married and moved to Oregon. She worked for the Resort at the Mountain, City of Portland, and Trappist Abbey before her retirement. She enjoyed photography, writing and her animals.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gale Peterson and survived by 3 children -Ken Aaro of Portland Oregon, Dan Aaro-Cabera of New Mexico, and Kirsten Burnett of Portland Oregon, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.