Valley Funeral Home Obituary: Petersen, Rita

Rita and Pete are charter members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Appleton; she worked hard on the family dairy farm, caring for the calves, and working in the barn, but her main job was caring for her family. She was an excellent cook, and she made sure her family ate well. She also expected them to eat on time, and let her family know her displeasure when they came in late. Rita enjoyed decorating the house and yard for the holidays; she enjoyed watching football, baseball, and NASCAR. Her greatest joy was spending time with the family, her children and especially her grandchildren.

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Pete; four children, Lynn (Robert) Wenzel, Fond du Lac, Steven Petersen, "the farm", Grand Chute, Karen Petersen, Grand Chute, and Mark Petersen, "the farm", Grand Chute; two grandchildren, Ann and Nick Wenzel; sister, Phyllis Schroeder, Appleton; brother, Glenn (Dottie) Schroeder, Freedom; two brothers-in-law, Jim Gresl, Appleton, and Bob Van Hoof, Seymour; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Schroeder, three sisters, Elaine Gresl, Betty Gresl, and Irene Van Hoof; and a brother-in-law, Don Gresl.

In keeping with Rita's wishes, a private family service will be held. Rita's family would like to give a special thank you to Fr. Falk for his continuous visits and prayers with Rita, which she enjoyed and looked forward to, as she was a prayerful lady who had a lot of faith; and to the entire staff at St Paul Elder Care for their loving care and compassion.