Wayne Petersen

After just a few weeks into his 89th year, Wayne Petersen passed away on October 8, 2019 and most certainly entered heaven where his greatest joy would be a greeter as Vi sings in the choir. The promise life in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ was a fundamental part of Wayne’s being. Wayne was born on October 13, 1930 to Carl and Helen Petersen and grew up in the town of New Denmark. He was the youngest of 4, with 2 older brothers and an older sister. When Wayne was 5 (1935) his mother passed away. Shortly thereafter his mother’s younger sister, Aunt Esther, moved up from Chicago to help with the home and farm activities.
By the time Wayne was 11 he was driving a 3 team hitch of horses to cultivate the hills on the farm. When Wayne was 14, he went to live and work at the farm of Norbert and Arlene Johnson. There Wayne found affection, love and family. In addition to having Arlene and Norbert as role models for a wonderful married couple, Wayne also grew up with the equivalent of younger siblings in their children; Allan, Sandy and Lynette.
Wayne had many memories from the 1 room Fontenoy school where he attended. In 1944, when he graduated from the 8th grade, he had the highest score in Brown County on a standardized test. As such, he got to lead the county 8th grade graduate procession at the Bay Theatre that year. He graduated from Denmark high school in 1948.
Dad continued to work for Norbert and Arlene through high school. Not long after graduation, Wayne was at a country dance when Norbert encouraged the shy farm boy Wayne to ask a girl to dance. The girl was Alvira Reckleberg, whom Wayne would marry on June 11, 1960.
Wayne was drafted into the army at age 25. In basic training the drill instructor called him out to show these “city boys” how to do push up’s. He lost only one arm wrestling contest. In the army he met his lifelong buddy, Ronald Tucker.
After discharge in 1957, Wayne went to work as a route salesmen for Dick Brothers Bakery in Manitowoc where his first boss was Lester Wilhelm. Wayne loved going from country store to country store and visiting with the customers.
At the encouragement of his Pastor, Arthur Wadzinski, in 1960 Wayne moved on from his route sales to a position as a district representative with Lutheran Brotherhood, where he spent 35 years. His trustworthy personality and commitment to working hard provided a good living and many wonderful memories with convention travel over the years. Over the years he developed a client base of over 3,500 policy holders.
In 1972, Wayne and Vi transferred their church membership from Christ in Denmark to St Paul in Green Bay. Over the year’s Wayne served both churches in a variety of roles, including Sunday school teacher, leading the young peoples group, recording secretary, and treasurer. At a critical point in the history of St. Paul, Wayne was the president of the congregation and provided leadership, in his understated way, that helped preserve the congregation as it is known today. Wayne also supported Vi in her activities within the church which included teaching both at St. Paul congregations both in Montpelier and in Green Bay as well as junior choirs at both Christ in Denmark and St Paul in Green Bay.
With the sales conventions provided by Lutheran Brotherhood, Wayne and Vi had many opportunities to visit many places across the US. Invariably these trips were planned by Vi, with the aid of her handy trip tic, and involved travelling to many interesting places and visiting family and friends. In later years, Vi and Wayne were able to take their grandchildren, Carolyn and Martin, on many adventures. After Vi passed away, Wayne he still was able to get a couple of trips to Florida to visit his nephew Ken and his wife, Linda. He was accompanied by his niece, Carolin, which helped to make it happen. His last road trip was just last year to visit his nephew Gary and his wife Betty. Martin, and a college friend, loaded him in the truck and a good time was had by all.
Certainly, there are many other things to mention of note in the life of Wayne, as he grew up from a poor farm boy into the person that was so loved and respected. Please share your memories of Wayne with others during your time together.
Wayne is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Phil and Kathy Petersen, and grandchildren, Carolyn and Martin Petersen. He is also survived a very special niece, Cheryl Schuller, and a special nephew Chuck Petersen. While not technically younger siblings, Lynette Duckette (Johnson) and Sandy Johnson were the closest thing to younger sisters a person could have. Other special people who also survive him include Bob and Laverne Brandt, Bob and Kay Clausen, Ed Opichka, and Bob Smithem. He is also survived by his army buddy, Ronald Tucker.
Surviving in-laws include; Audrey Reckelberg, Wilma Rehbein, Adolph and Mary Reckelberg, John and Anita Schuller, Maynard and Verni Ihlenfeld and Bruce and Bernice Hanson.
In addition to many nieces and nephews, he is also survived by friends and acquaintances acquired through work as a representative for Lutheran Brotherhood, membership at Christ Lutheran (Denmark and St. Paul Lutheran (Green Bay), his personal activities and well as in support of VI’s activities.
Wayne was proceeded in death by his parents Carl and Helen (Osterloh) Petersen and step-mother Esther (Osterloh) Petersen. His older siblings, and their spouses, who have proceeded him in passing include; Donald Petersen, Melvin and Jane (Andersen) and Mabel and Ed Ruschewski. In-laws who have proceeded him include Fred Reckelberg, Donnie Rehbein, Ludwig Reckelberg, Mike and Joyce Lemke and Leo and Judy Rabas.
Also proceeding him in death were Norbert “Nubs” and Arlene Johnson, whose caring love helped Wayne become the person he was. His boss from his time at Dick Brothers Bakery, and his very best friend, Les Wilhelm, also proceeded him in death.
Family and friends may call at the Cotter Funeral Home in Denmark on October 18 from 4:30-7:00. The funeral will be held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (514 S. Clay St, Green Bay) at 11:00 on the 19th. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:45.
The family would like to thank everyone who visited Wayne over the last 3 months, who’s care and concern has lightened his journey, as well as ours. The family would also like to thank Cheryl Schuller for all the love and attention paid to Wayne over the last 5 years.
In leu of flowers, gifts to a memorial fund to fund a well to be dug to support the Lutheran Church in Zambia, would be appreciated.