BRODHEAD - O'Dean Norman Peterson, age 87, of Brodhead, Wisconsin, died Friday, July 11, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. He was born January 19, 1921, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, to Sanford and Emma Hartwig Peterson. The family moved to Fort Atkinson in 1925. He married Mary Zerjav in 1941 in Watertown, Wisconsin. She died February 13, 1992, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. On May 27, 1995, Dean married Gweneth Schlittler.
Early in life Dean developed a keen interest in life and people. He became a familiar figure around Fort Atkinson, selling odds and ends from the dump, fish from his fishing jaunts to the Rock River, asparagus from his treks along the railroad tracks, and other ventures. He loved music, from his early days of playing trombone in the high school band and orchestra, and city orchestra, to going to many dances held in the area, singing in the church choir and enjoying music performances later in life. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1938 and began working in the grocery business which became his lifetime work and interest. Dean was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1945, spending most of his service in the Pacific Theater. He worked for A&P Grocers in Watertown and then in Monroe, and started his own grocery store in Brodhead in 1950.
Dean took a passionate interest in his community, its businesses, organizations and welfare. He spent 12 years on the local school board, during which time the high school and elementary school were built, and was a Bank of Brodhead director for 20 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the local Lions Club, Jaycees, Industrial Commission, June Dairy Day, Corn Picking contest, and Swine Judging contest in Brodhead.
Dean was on the Green County Cheese Days committee in 1955 and 1960, was instrumental in having the Betty Crocker Bake Off in Brodhead and a visits by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. He was a member of the local fire department for 24 years, Green County Board of Supervisors, VFW lifetime member, American Legion lifetime member, Certified Grocers member and president, member of the Wisconsin Food Dealers' Association, served on the Brodhead Library Board, active in the White Gift organization, member of the Decatur Lake Country Club, lifetime member of the Brodhead Historical Society, charter member of the Brodhead Lions Club, and donated land for the EMS building.
Dean received numerous awards and commendations for his work and devotion to different organizations: Melvin P. Jones award by the Lions Club International, Outstanding Young Man and Outstanding Senior Citizen by the Brodhead Jaycees, C.S. Pierce Award for Community Service, Outstanding Promo Award by Coca Cola and Certco Outstanding Grocer Award.
He is survived by his wife, Gweneth; two children, Sanford (Elizabeth) Peterson, Leawood, Kansas, and Sue (Kim) Hartwig, Monroe; four stepchildren, Kerry (DeAnn) Schlittler, Brodhead, Kendall (Karen) Schlittler, Sauk City, Kevin (Barb) Schlittler, Waunakee, and Kathleen (Bob) Karius, Summit; four grandchildren, Andrew (Brandy) Peterson, Rachel (Steve) Smith, Nick and Angela Hartwig; 11 step-grandchildren: Brielle (Josh) Reicks, Jordan, Bethany, Lydia, Ian, Taylor, Keegan, Aidan Schlittler, and Alex, Eric, and Anna Karius; two step-great-grandchildren, Jacob and Amelia; two brothers, Raymond (Lola) and Donald (Marie) Peterson of Fort Atkinson; one sister, Lois (Dave) Bielefeldt of Fort Atkinson; sister-in-law, Carol Peterson and brother-in-law, Gerald Mepham of Fort Atkinson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dean was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; a daughter, Donna; his parents and grandparents; and three sisters, Helen, Irene and Dorothy; and a brother, Roger.
Funeral services are 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2008 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brodhead where Dean was a member. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church. Pastor Mark Newmann will officiate and burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Brodhead High School Show Choir.
D. L. Newcomer Funeral Home, Brodhead, is assisting the family.
Early in life Dean developed a keen interest in life and people. He became a familiar figure around Fort Atkinson, selling odds and ends from the dump, fish from his fishing jaunts to the Rock River, asparagus from his treks along the railroad tracks, and other ventures. He loved music, from his early days of playing trombone in the high school band and orchestra, and city orchestra, to going to many dances held in the area, singing in the church choir and enjoying music performances later in life. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1938 and began working in the grocery business which became his lifetime work and interest. Dean was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1945, spending most of his service in the Pacific Theater. He worked for A&P Grocers in Watertown and then in Monroe, and started his own grocery store in Brodhead in 1950.
Dean took a passionate interest in his community, its businesses, organizations and welfare. He spent 12 years on the local school board, during which time the high school and elementary school were built, and was a Bank of Brodhead director for 20 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the local Lions Club, Jaycees, Industrial Commission, June Dairy Day, Corn Picking contest, and Swine Judging contest in Brodhead.
Dean was on the Green County Cheese Days committee in 1955 and 1960, was instrumental in having the Betty Crocker Bake Off in Brodhead and a visits by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. He was a member of the local fire department for 24 years, Green County Board of Supervisors, VFW lifetime member, American Legion lifetime member, Certified Grocers member and president, member of the Wisconsin Food Dealers' Association, served on the Brodhead Library Board, active in the White Gift organization, member of the Decatur Lake Country Club, lifetime member of the Brodhead Historical Society, charter member of the Brodhead Lions Club, and donated land for the EMS building.
Dean received numerous awards and commendations for his work and devotion to different organizations: Melvin P. Jones award by the Lions Club International, Outstanding Young Man and Outstanding Senior Citizen by the Brodhead Jaycees, C.S. Pierce Award for Community Service, Outstanding Promo Award by Coca Cola and Certco Outstanding Grocer Award.
He is survived by his wife, Gweneth; two children, Sanford (Elizabeth) Peterson, Leawood, Kansas, and Sue (Kim) Hartwig, Monroe; four stepchildren, Kerry (DeAnn) Schlittler, Brodhead, Kendall (Karen) Schlittler, Sauk City, Kevin (Barb) Schlittler, Waunakee, and Kathleen (Bob) Karius, Summit; four grandchildren, Andrew (Brandy) Peterson, Rachel (Steve) Smith, Nick and Angela Hartwig; 11 step-grandchildren: Brielle (Josh) Reicks, Jordan, Bethany, Lydia, Ian, Taylor, Keegan, Aidan Schlittler, and Alex, Eric, and Anna Karius; two step-great-grandchildren, Jacob and Amelia; two brothers, Raymond (Lola) and Donald (Marie) Peterson of Fort Atkinson; one sister, Lois (Dave) Bielefeldt of Fort Atkinson; sister-in-law, Carol Peterson and brother-in-law, Gerald Mepham of Fort Atkinson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dean was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; a daughter, Donna; his parents and grandparents; and three sisters, Helen, Irene and Dorothy; and a brother, Roger.
Funeral services are 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2008 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brodhead where Dean was a member. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church. Pastor Mark Newmann will officiate and burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Brodhead High School Show Choir.
D. L. Newcomer Funeral Home, Brodhead, is assisting the family.