Frederick Peters

Frederick Elmer Peters, 99, of Bell Center, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 29, 2025, just 3 1/2 months short of his 100th birthday. He was born on April 11, 1926, to Erwin and Lena (Boden) Peters in Washington County, Wisconsin.

Fred enjoyed his youth on their family farm on Big Cedar Lake in Wisconsin. He loved animals and had many fond memories of adventures with his horses, Kate and Barney. He graduated 9th grade, but during the 10th he had to leave school to run his family farm when his Father was injured. He always had a love for and great knowledge of farming and worked on several farms throughout his life. He was also a truck driver for a time, became an auctioneer, and was a skilled carpenter throughout his life. Mom always called him a jack of all trades because whenever she had a need or want, he was able to design his own version and build it himself. He was a WWII Veteran and a lifetime member of the American Legion, Post 51, West Salem, WI.

Fred was a loving, kind, funny, joyful man and a devoted husband and Father. He carried himself steady and strong, always ready with a dose of humor, a smile, a song, or a toast with a brandy old fashioned or a good beer! He loved jokes and laughter and was a great storyteller. He had a passion for polka music, not just listening to it but living it: singing with joy, dancing with delight, and yodeling to the top of his lungs! He always had a mischievous sparkle in his eye and endless love in his heart.

The greatest love in Fred's life was his beloved wife, Rosie, who he met at a polka dance on New Years Eve in 1942 when he made the best decision of his life and approached the beautiful woman wearing a blue pleated skirt and asked her to dance to The Blue Skirt Waltz. They were married in 1947 and had 8 children. Fred and Rosie were always very proud of their family and their love for them was unwavering, playful, and endlessly generous.

Fred was a devout Catholic his entire life and was a proud member of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary Parish in Winona, MN. When it became difficult to travel to Winona to attend Mass, he built a beautiful chapel in their home which was blessed by their priest who visited monthly.

Fred is survived by his children, Susan (Michael) Radosevich of Grand Junction, Colorado, Fred Jr. (Pam) of St Paul, Minnesota, Ronald (Pam) of Paonia, Colorado, Michael (Lynda) of La Farge, Wisconsin, Darlene (Bob) McDonnell of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Thomas (Ann) of La Farge, Wisconsin, Karen Grunke of Gays Mills, Wisconsin, Sheryl Peters of Gays Mills, Wisconsin, his beloved puppy Rune, 20 grandchildren, 21 great grand children, 2 great great grandchildren, 2 sisters-in- law, Noel Moser and Loretta Hackbarth. He is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Frederick is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary (Rosie), his parents, Erwin and Lena, his sister, Florence, his brothers, Jerome, Ralph, Sylvester, Elroy, Earl, 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Willow.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 123 Decker Street, Viroqua, WI.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 19th, 2026 at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary Holy Angels Church, 21077 Quarry Hill Road, Winona, MN. Father Andrew Dwyer will officiate with burial to follow at the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary Cemetery. Friends and Family may also visit from 10:00 AM until the time of mass at the Church on Monday.

The family would like to thank Dads physician, Dr. Kalinosky at Gundersen Clinic in Viroqua; St. Croix Hospice for assistance with end of life care; Sara Stuckey with the Crawford County Inclusa program who helped to make Dads in home care possible; Father Andrew Dwyer for his many home visits with Dad and the St Thomas Aquinas Seminary Brothers for their kindness throughout the years and keeping Dad in their prayers.