Melvin "Jake" Peterson, Jr., age 81 of Clear Lake, WI, formerly of Deer Park, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2009 at the Willow Ridge Care Center in Amery, WI.
Melvin Peterson, Jr. was born on February 11, 1928, in St. Croix Falls, WI, son of Melvin and Mary (Lindemann) Peterson. He was baptized at Sand Lake Lutheran Church and later moved with his family to Barronette, WI, eventually settling in Deer Park and graduated from Amery High School in 1946.
After graduation, he worked various jobs and traveled around the United States for the next few years before he was married to Beverly Hiam on March 26, 1951. Together they had four children, Tracy, Bonnie, Dan and Tim.
Jake worked as a supervisor at Doboy Press in New Richmond, WI until 1968 when he had to retire due to a disability from degenerative arthritis.
In his spare time he enjoyed gardening and raised flowers and vegetables. Jake was also a very spiritual person who loved reading scripture and studying religion and philosophy. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jake had been a resident of Clear Lake for the past 6 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Mary Peterson; 3 brothers, Adrian, Clifford and Frederick Peterson; 3 sisters, Lorretta Peterson, Wilma Neitge and Lorraine Ajer.
Jake is survived by daughters and sons, Tracy (Larry) Johnson of Clayton, WI, Bonnie Peterson of Cumberland, WI, Dan (Jannelle) Peterson of Lexington, MN, and Tim (Norma) Peterson of Clear Lake, WI; grandchildren, Michael (Brenda) Shelby, Christopher (Belinda) Weiss, Jamie (Nicole) Peterson, Amy Goveronski, Janel (Scott) Strenke, Jessica Peterson, Jennifer Peterson, Kyle (Brianna) Peterson, Tara Peterson and Hana Peterson; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Viola Johnson of Clear Lake, WI, and Ruby Tepfer of Lorretto, MN; many other relatives, family and friends.
Memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home in Clear Lake, WI, with the Reverend Margaret Grant officiating.
Honorary pallbearers are Chuck Ajer, Mike Johnson, Ed Neitge, Jerry Peterson, Jim Peterson and Ray Sykora.
Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, September 1, 2009)
