Obit: Peterson, Bernadine Helen (1923 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Peterson, Gruber

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 7/30/2014

Peterson, Bernadine Helen (16 September 1923 - 27 July 2014)

Bernadine Helen Peterson, 90, died in Madison July 27, 2014. Bernadine was born Sept. 16, 1923, the daughter of Effie (Alt) Peterson and Bernhardt H. Peterson. She graduated from Ne9illsdville High School in 1941. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (then Central State Teachers College) in 1945 with a degree in Home Economics Education and taught home economics in several high schools for 11 years.

Bernadine was a member of the Neillsville United Methodist where she served as Sunday school teacher, member of the senior choir and church pianist for several years. She completed work for the MS and PhD degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 196l and joined the faculty at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. In 1965, she joined the faculty at the university of Wisconsin-Madison in the School of Human Ecology. She later accepted a joint appointment with University of Wisconsin Extension, where she served as professor and Extension program leader in the Southeast District for 20 years.

Retirement and a move to an Attic Angel Prairie Point Home in Madison filled the next phase of her life. Bernadine was a member of her professional organizations, including the UW-Extension organization, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the American Association of Home Economics. She was also a member of many other organizations, including NOW, League of Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Women’s Network, the Association of American Indian Affairs and the Wisconsin Historical Society. She was interested in music, history, world affairs and sports.

Bernadine was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Carol Margaret Peterson.

She leaves her long-time friend and housemate, Jane Gruber; Jane’s sister, brother and Jane’s eight nieces and nephews, all of whom were like her own family; and many friends and colleagues.

Memorials may be made to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology; the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Professional Studies or a charity of one’s choice.

Bernadine’s body was cremated and the asked buried in the family plot in the Neillsville City Cemetery. There will be no funeral.

To view and sign the guestbook for Bernadine, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.