Thorwald D. Peterson

Thorwald D. Peterson, 92, of Viroqua died Saturday, October 13, 2012. Thorwald D. Peterson, 92, of Viroqua,Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 13 at Vernon Manor Nursing Home. Thorwald was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin on November 21, 1919 to Edwin and Tillie (Thoreson) Peterson. Thorwald graduated from Viroqua High School in 1939. On November 12, 1941, he married Jean Thompson, and they were blessed with almost 71 years of marriage. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into military service. He served in the European theater primarily in Northern Africa and Italy. He was wounded on two separate occasions near Rome and was then sent back to the states where he spent a year of recovery in Woods Veterans Hospital, in Chicago Illinois. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After being discharged, he returned to the Viroqua area, where he farmed for 50 years. Thorwald is survived by his wife Jean of Viroqua, five sons and one daughter: His sons are David (Sonia), of Viroqua; Michael (Monica) of Middleton; Allan (Deborah) of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Keith (Karen) of Castle Rock, Colorado; Mark (Rhonna) of Webster, Minnesota and his daughter, Beth (Jonathan) Petersen of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren & 3 great great grandchildren, one brother, Edward (Bonnie) of Chaseburg, one sister in law, Thelma Peterson of Genoa, He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Verna Harris, and a brother Amos. Our Dad was a life long active member of Bad Axe Lutheran Church where he held many offices and enjoyed singing in the choir and mens chorus. While he enjoyed sports, including supporting his children and grandchildren, he also had a great appreciation for music and literature. He was known to write poetry himself, and his favorite poem was "October". He was most proud of, and his greatest legacy was his children. He leaves behind 44 descendents. Thorwald spent most of his life farming and passed on a very strong work ethic to each of his children. He was very proud of having served in the military, and he left a very strong sense of patriotism in each of his children. Having been wounded in the war, he went on to live a full and complete life. Hold your parents tenderly because without them the world is a strange and lonely place. Dad will live in our hearts forever! Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Bad Axe Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (hwy 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday from 10 until the time of the service at 11. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.