Obit: Peterson, Emmery L. (1932 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Engels, Graf, Knight, Langebartels, Maki, Peterson, Reed-Peterson, Sperl, Tallman, Titera, Vesely

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 10/19/2018

Peterson, Emmery “Pete” L. (28 DEC 1932 - 15 OCT 2018)

Emmery “Pete” L. Peterson, 85, of Medford, entered into eternal life with his family by his side on Oct. 15, 2018.

A funeral service will be held on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rib Lake with Pastor Jim Langebartels officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. commitment to Lakeview Cemetery followed by luncheon will be announced.

Pete was born in Rib Lake on Dec. 28, 1932 to Alex and Magdelina “Maggie” Peterson. Pete attended Rib Lake School. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. Pete married Marcella Graf on Jan. 8, 1955 and they had seven children. Pete worked in Rockford, Ill. for Greyhound Bus Company and then moved to raise their family in Rib Lake. He operated a gas station on Main St. until he built Pete’s Service on Hwy 102 and County Rd D in 1971.

Pete loved seeing people and socializing. Curling, bowling, horseshoes and golf being some of his long time favorites, scoring a 700 bowling game against his brother Arvid. He had a passion to ride, raise and bred Tennessee walking horses. He enjoyed hunting out West and never got his elk. In the early years he worked on race cars for Dave Marcus and Marlin Walbeck, known to many as “Grinder” or “Grindstone”. He enjoyed snowmobile racing, collecting many trophies and making some of the fastest thunder jets around. He was proud to say Pete’s Service was the oldest Husqvarna dealer in the state where he was in business for over 40 years. Everyone counted on him to fix any kind of motor.

Pete was an originator of Camp 28 Restaurant, prior president of St. John’s Lutheran Church, member of Rib Lake Lion’s Club and originator of Silver Creek Horse Riders, who founded Taylor County Trail and Horse Camp. Beyond his legacy in Rib Lake, he loved his family, smelling a newborn baby and pulling his grandkids in a sleigh for Christmas rides. We will always know what a “wet willy” is and have a bit of his mechanic skills.

Pete is survived by his daughters, Cheryl (Jim) Sperl, Wanda Tallman (Guy Tallman), Robin Peterson and Monica Peterson (Spence Titera), all of Medford; son, Emmery “Pete” (Laura) Peterson of Chippewa Falls; brother, Robert Peterson of Hatley and Arvid (Kim) Peterson of Rib Lake; sister, Carol Knight of Ogema; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Pete was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Peterson; daughter, Linda Reed-Peterson; grandson, Lee Vesely; his parents, Alex and Magdelina Peterson; his brothers, Edward Peterson and Richard Peterson; and his sisters, Ruth Maki Engels and Alice Peterson.