Obit: Petersen, Anges (1916 - 2007)

Contact:  Shari Hahn
Email: SteppinWest@elknet.net

Surnames: Petersen, Blomberg, Sorenson, Hansen, Mogensen, Vaitonis, Segerstrom, Guenzi, Musa, Mueller, Steffens, Tomich

----Sources: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) August 6, 2007

Petersen, Agnes (7 Oct. 1916 - 4 Aug. 2007)

Agnes Petersen

Agnes Petersen, 90, of Withee, died Aug. 4, 2007, at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, Wis. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee. The Revs. Terri Blomberg and Richard Sorenson will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Withee.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Maurina Funeral Home in Owen, Wis.

Agnes was born in Withee (Frenchtown Hill) on Oct. 7, 1916, to Theodore and Marie (Hansen) Mogensen. As a young girl, Agnes attended the local Danish grade school in Withee and completed her schooling by graduating from Withee High School in May 1933. Always seeking an adventure, Agnes left Withee after graduation to work in Chicago. Soon after her arrival, Agnes was joined by her finance, Jim, and they united in marriage Feb. 28, 1935.

Agnes and Jim lived in Chicago, where their son, Donald (Duke), and daughter, Bonnie, were born. In the spring of 1943, the family decided to move back to central Wisconsin, where they purchased a dairy farm east of Longwood. Even though Jim promised Agnes she would never be a farmer's wife, they farmed for 36 years. She worked the farm, milking and feeding cows, cooking for hired help, hauling lunches to the field, picking rocks, driving to town for tractor parts and teaching Sunday School. She never flinched when her nephew, Richard Vaitonis, as a young boy, brought home rabbits, squirrels, partridge and his first "big game" pigeon for her to fix for dinner. In 1979, Richard purchased the farm.

With newly found free time, Agnes and Jim built a home just outside of Longwood. They enjoyed visiting their children, grandchildren and friends. During the winter, they traveled to the "warm spots" of the United States. Their last big trip together was to Iceland and Denmark.

After Jim's death, Agnes moved to Withee. She continued traveling to see family and visited New Zealand, Australia, Israel and Alaska. Her global travels gave her great perspective on the health and needs of others, especially children. For many years, Agnes supported various charities whose mission is to better the welfare of children around the world. She was a long time member of Longwood Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She also actively supported local youth activities by sponsoring children to attend summer camps and establishing a scholarship fun for Owen-Withee High School graduates. She was a favorite among residents at the Care Center for her volunteer work.

In 1996, Agnes sold Badger Precision, a company Jim had bought in the 1960s, to her nephew, Gary Petersen.

When Agnes was not traveling, she enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. She started playing when they moved to Longwood. When Agnes moved to Withee, she continued playing cards and made many new friends, while rekindling relationships of the past. She taught her great-grandsons to play different card games and we all found out she did not like to lose. In addition to her weekly games, she joined her friends on trips to the Wisconsin casinos. Agnes found great enjoyment in playing the slot machines. She said she never won, but said, "George Sorensen always seemed to have a lucky day." Another passion of Agnes' was to have her friends and family over for ableskivers. It was always a given when visiting family over the holidays that these Danish pancakes would be made. She also enjoyed hosting her annual Christmas party to which many of her neighbors brought their favorite dish to share. Agnes was very fortunate to have so many wonderful friends. No matter where she went, Agnes seemed to know everyone and she loved to take time and visit. Her keen memory never failed her when recalling stories of growing up, keeping straight who was related to whom, and remembering the "good times." She seldom forgot a birthday or anniversary and always sent a holiday greeting or wedding gift. This same network of friends helped her tremendously as she grew older.

Survivors include a son, Donald (Sheila) Petersen; a daughter, Bonnie (Robert) Segerstrom; grandchildren, Gary (Sharon) Petersen, Nelson (Stephanie) Petersen, James Petersen, Tara (Dave) Guenzi, Tonja (Joe) Musa and Nicole (Dave) Mueller; great grandchildren, Carson and Logan Guenzi, Christian and Nathan Mueller and Anna Petersen; special nephew, Richard (Carol) Vaitonis, and daughter, Robin; brother-in-law, James Steffens, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and sibling,: Harry Mogensen, Ellen Tomich, Gerda Vaitonis and Rigmore Steffens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Ministry Home Care Hospice, Clark County Humane Society, Longwood Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.