Obit: Petersen, Agnes E. #4 (1916 - 2007)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: PETERSEN MOGENSEN HANSEN MUSA MUELLER GUENZI VAITONIS STEFFENS TOMICH

----Sources: Loyal TRG 08 August 2007

Petersen, Agnes E. #4 (7 OCT 1916 - 4 AUG 2007)

Agnes E. Petersen, 90, Withee, died on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at Clark County Health Care Center, Owen, Wis. Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Aug 8, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Withee. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery, Withee. The Rev. Terri Blomberg and the Rev. Richard Sorenson officiated. Pallbearers were Alan Zelm, Juan Geracaris, Bernard Rusch, William Benzschawel, Arlyn Mills, Thomas Gehrke, Gary Petersen, and Eugene Himes. Honorary pallbearers were Arthur and Waverly Jarvis, Ray and Elaine Pszeniczny, George and Joan Sorensen, Charles and Ilene Pribbernow, Walter and Phyllis Clay, and Rory and Lynn VanWinkle. Flower girls were Mildred Ericksmoen, Mary Katherine Jensen, Lillian Miller, Vi Jalling, Mayme Zelm, Sylvia Petersen, and Bernelda Karlen and Julie Tieman.

Agnes Emilie Mogensen was born Oct. 7, 1916, in Withee (Frenchtown Hill), to Theodore and Marie (nee Hansen) Mogensen. As a young girl, she attended the local Danish grade school in Withee and completed her schooling by graduating from Withee high school. Always seeking an adventure, she left Withee after gradation to work in Chicago. Soon after her arrival, she was joined by he fiancé, Jim, and they were married on Feb. 28, 1935. They 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 her husband promised her she would never have to be a farmer’s wife, they farmed for 36 years. She worked the farm milking and feeding cows, cooking fir the 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. I 1979 Richard purchased the farm. With their newly-found free time, they built a home just outside Longwood. They enjoyed visiting their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. During the winter, they traveled to the "warm spots" of the U. S. Their last big trip was to Iceland and Denmark. After Jim’s death, Dec. 10, 1982, she moved to Withee. She continued traveling to see her family and visited New Zealand, Australia, Israel and Alaska. Her global travels gave her great perspective on the health needs of others, especially children. For many years, she supported various charities whose mission is to better the welfare of children around the world. She was a long time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Longwood. She also actively supported local youth activities by sponsoring children to attend summer camps and establishing a scholarship fund for Owen-Withee High School graduates. She was a favorite among residents at the Clark County Health Care Center for her volunteer work. In 1996, she sold Badger Precision, a company her husband had bought in the 1960s, to her nephew Gary Petersen. When she was not traveling, she enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. She started playing when they moved to Longwood. When she 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. She 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 hers was to have her friends over for able skivers. 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 in which many of her neighbors brought their favorite dishes to share. She was very fortunate to have so many wonderful friends. No matter where she went she 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 and anniversary and always sent a holiday greeting or wedding gift. This same network of friends helped her tremendously as she grew older.

Survivors include her son, Donald (Sheila) Petersen; her daughter, Bonnie (Robert) Segerstrom; her grandchildren, Gary (Sharon) Petersen, Nelson (Stephanie) Petersen, James Petersen, Tara (Dave) Guenzi, Tonja (Joe) Musa and Nicole (Dave) Mueller; her great-grandchildren, Carson and Logan Guenzi, Christian and Nathan Mueller, and Anna Petersen; her special nephew, Richard (Carol) Vaitonis, and daughter Robin; and brother-in=law, James Steffens; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Jim; and siblings, Harry, Mogensen, Ellen Tomich, Gerda Vaitonis, and Rigmore Steffens.

Memorials can be given to Ministry Home Care Hospice, Clark County Humane Society, Longwood Emmanual Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.

Maurina/Community Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.