Obit: Peterson, Merlin J. #2 (1901 – 1977)
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Peterson, Chrisinger, Salverson, Lambert, Olson, Hagen, Ferries, Emerson

----Source: Scrapbook Collection of Duane Horn

Peterson, Merlin J. (30 Dec. 1901 – 27 Feb. 1977)

Merlin J. Peterson

Merlin J. Peterson, 75, Route 2, Black River Falls, died Feb 27, 1977, at the Black River Memorial Hospital. He had been in failing health.

He was born Dec. 30, 1901 in the Town of Pigeon, Trempealeau County to Mr. and Mrs. Peter O. Peterson. At the age of six, he moved with his family into Jackson County.

He married Etta Chrisinger April 28, 1926 and they observed their golden wedding anniversary last year. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge F & AM No. 74 and Order of the Eastern Star of Black River Falls and the Shrine.

A self-employed stock buyer for many years, Peterson was a member of the Jackson County Traffic Patrol from 1940 to 1942 and from 1942 to 1960 was a member of the Wisconsin State Patrol. In 1960, he was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly where he served two consecutive terms. He had also served as the secretary-treasurer of the Jackson County Fair Association and served as the treasurer for the town of Albion, Jackson County for a number of years.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Eugene and Verland each of Black River Falls, and Larry of Glen View, Ill; four daughters, Carol (Mrs. Willard) Lambert of Fairbanks, Alaska; Judy ( Mrs. Arvid) Olson of Grove City, Minn.; Marion (Mrs. Kerwood) Hagen and Lois (Mrs. Keith) Ferries, both of Black River Falls; three brothers Raymond, Norman and Price Peterson, all of Black River Falls; one sister, Mrs. Esther Emerson of Black River Falls; 26 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services were held March 1 from the Little Norway Lutheran Church with the Rev. Robert Salveson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Torgerson Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.