Eugene Orvis Peterson, 74, of Ontario, Wis., passed away peacefully at home with his loving family Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Eugene was born July 18, 1948, to Orvis and Tennie (Hanson) Peterson in Viroqua, Wis. He grew up on a dairy farm on Sandhill Ridge. Eugene went to the O’Connell School, and then to Ontario Elementary and graduated from Brookwood High School in 1966. After high school, he attended automotive school in La Crosse.
In 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and left for Vietnam in December. He proudly served his country in the 4th Infantry Division and came home as a sergeant in 1969. He then began working at Chrysler in Belvidere, Ill. Eugene then ventured out to Tygh Valley, Ore., with friends and worked at a gas station and sawmill when he met his wife Linda. They were married in Washington in 1972.
He returned to Ontario, where he raised his family while taking over the family farm. He was easygoing and a hard worker. He took on other jobs while farming until his youngest son purchased the homestead in 2005. He loved fishing, canoeing the Kickapoo, camping, spending time in the outdoors with his children, going to auctions, cutting wood, going on adventures, taking Kubota rides on the trails behind the house, or kicking back around the fire and sleeping under the stars with his family. He also had a love for polka music, especially Mollie B and many others. His life’s motto was, “Work hard, play hard.”
Eugene adored his wife Linda and enjoyed having the kids and grandkids living close to them. He was an active member of the Ontario American Legion and Cashton VFW. Many memories will hold steady in their loving hearts forever.
Eugene is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughter, Sonya (Steve) Hericks of Tomah, and their sons, Tommy (Aria) and Layne (Shelby) Hericks; his son, Phillip (Brandy) Peterson of Tomah, and their sons, Eugene (Alissa) and Erick; his son, Tony (Melissa) Peterson of Ontario, and their children, Bella, Deagan, Bronson and Gunner; his daughter, Melissa (Jered) Hemmersbach of Cashton, and their children, Odessa, Olivia, Brett, Brady and baby; his sister, Pearl (Bruce) Bauman of Ontario; his sisters-in-law, Esther Peterson of Ontario and Teresa Dibartolo (Jim) of Oregon; along with many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Orvis and Tennie; his brothers, Vernon, Arnold “Tubes,” and LaVern Peterson; his grandsons, Austin Peterson and Jake Hericks; and his brothers-in-law, Kenny, Timothy, and Tommy Moore.
Funeral services with full military honors will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 720 Wisconsin St., Cashton, WI. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 2 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton, Wis., is assisting the family with details. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
