Esther A. Petersen

Esther A. Petersen, age 90, passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at Oak Ridge Care Center, Union Grove.  Esther was born in Racine on July 3, 1922, daughter of the late Ole H. and Ida F. (Nee: Therkelsen) Petersen.

Esther was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1940.”  She was employed for many years at J.I. Case Company until her retirement in 1984, and was a member of their “20 Year Club.” In her youth, Esther played baseball for a semi-pro team. In her retirement, Esther enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles, reading, shopping, dining out, spending time at her cottage then camper in Lac du Flambeau, making fishing lures, and watching her favorite channel, CNN, to keep up with the times for her use in lively conversation.  Esther most loved living in her home on Lake Michigan with her best friends “Fritz” & “Dolly”.  Esther was a generous, strong, independent, intelligent and witty woman who will be dearly missed.

Esther is survived by her sister, Laura (Felix) Batwinski of Arbor Vitae; her loving nieces and nephews, Terri (Charles) Waschbisch of Racine, Sandra Petersen (Charles Techert) of Racine, Mark (Karrie) Petersen of Union Grove, Robert Batwinski of Arbor Vitae, Ted (Darlene) Batwinski of Kenosha, James (Shirley) Petersen of Lakewood, Charles (Cheri) Petersen of Racine and Debra (Gene) Horvath of Stoughton; and many grand-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Herman (Carol) Petersen and Walter (Arlene) Petersen; nephew, Timothy J. Petersen; and her beloved and dearest friend, Evelyn Gebhard.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 22, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Monday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.  Memorials to the Countryside Humane Society, American Cancer Society or to the Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints “Mary Alice Peterson Nursing Scholarship Fund” have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888