William Jacob Petersen Age 85, of Birchwood, WI died Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at the Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

He was born on June 10, 1934 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin a son to Elmer and Hazel Petersen and a brother to Jerald and Ruth Ann. Bill grew up in Birchwood and graduated from the Birchwood High School.  He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1954-57. Bill spent most of his life on the 750 acres of property that his parents bought from the Stout family in the 1930s. He loved the farm, also known as Balsam Lake Ranch!  Throughout his lifetime it was a place to raise sheep, ponies, Arabian horses, dairy cows and eventually strictly beef cattle.  He loved animals and taught his family to be caring to all living things and never allow a creature to suffer.  He had a very laidback approach to teaching his children and grand-children how to work, drive a car, drive a tractor, or use a fishing pole.  He would say, “You can do it!”  and then patiently watch you learn until you got it right.  His family members often talked about being more like Bill in his patient and kind ways. He especially loved children and always had time for them! He loved taking them for rides around the farm, going fishing, taking them to Don’s Discount, or out for ice cream. Children also knew that Bill loved candy and always had gum in his pocket to share.

Bill’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, traveling out west, playing cards or dominos with friends, and later in life watching the NBA and baseball on TV.  He spent many hours watching his grandchildren play basketball and was the best fan, rarely missing a game. He was a member of the American Legion, the Northern Wisconsin Beef Producers Association, and the Birchwood Historical Society. Bill was a simple man without the need for a great deal of newer, better, fancier material things.  His happiness came from time spent with people and taking care of his farm.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hazel; his brother, Jerald; brother in-law, Arthur Clausen, and dearly loved son, Joe.  He leaves to celebrate his memory: daughters, Pamela (John) Klatt and Penny (Barry) Kobernick; daughter in-law, Sherry Petersen; his grandchildren Mitchell, Brady, Jillian, Jacob (Meredith), Jeneva, Jacinta, Allen and Karl; his sister, Ruth Ann Clausen; sister in-law Patricia Petersen, and many other loving family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM Monday, September 23, 2019 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Birchwood, WI, Father Ed Anderson officiating, with interment in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Birchwood, WI where Military Rites will be accorded him by the Birchwood American Legion Post.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Sunday at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI and for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church on Monday.

Last Update: Sep 23, 2019 7:39 am CDT