Donald E. Peterson

Donald E. Peterson August 13, 1933 - July 17, 2017 Donald E. Peterson, 83, of Woodruff, Wisconsin passed away July 17, 2017 at Seasons of Life Hospice Center in Woodruff, Wisconsin. Don was born in Marquette, Michigan on August 13th to Carl “Ted” and Ruth (Michaelson) Peterson. His early years were spent in Moline, IL with his parents and older sister (Marilynne Jennings). After graduating high school he earned a degree in Accounting at the University of Illinois, and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. While there he met the love of his life, Barbara Nelson. They would have been married 63 years this August. After a couple years in the US Navy, they settled in Rockford, IL in 1958 where they resided until 1998, when they retired to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. During Don’s career, he was an accountant for Sundstrand Corporation, Vice President of Operations at Debes Corporation, and eventually ventured out as an entrepreneur, owning The Edgebrook Shopping Center Hallmark store in Rockford. He was an active member at Shepherd of the Valley Church in Rockford, and Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua, Wisconsin where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and participating in various volunteer capacities at both churches. He loved to cook and entertain, enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling. Don is survived by his wife Barbara, 3 children: daughter Cindy (son-in-law Tom Rowland), daughter Kim (son-in-law Mark Vevang), and son Steve. He was very proud of his 6 grandchildren: Nicole (Casey) Smith, Elizabeth (Daniel) Sullivan, Katie (Taylor) Riley, Ryan (Kaity) Vevang, Tom IV (Carly) Rowland, and Danny Vevang and 4 great-grandchildren: Liam Riley, Stella Smith, Jack Riley, and Claire Sullivan. He also leaves his sister-in-law Beverly Nelson and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brother-in-law Brian Nelson and daughter-in-law Sheila. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22, with the Memorial Service following at 11:00 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7937 Highway 51 South, Minocqua. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Ascension Lutheran Church and Seasons of Life Hospice House, Woodruff, Wisconsin.