Loretta M. Peterson

MCFARLAND-Loretta M. Peterson, age 85, entered into eternal life on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family after a three year battle with leukemia. She was born in 1926, the daughter of Martin and Martha (Holak) Shields. Loretta grew up in Cazenovia, where she graduated from Cazenovia High School. She loved to plant flowers at her beautiful home in McFarland. Loretta loved to cross stitch, read and shop. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to her favorite country, Ireland, where she got to kiss the Blarney Stone. Loretta was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 410 Ladies Auxiliary. She retired in 1985, after 35 years of loyal service at Oscar Mayer. Loretta was a devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church in McFarland. She was an avid Badgers and Packers fan. Loretta is survived by her dedicated husband of 48 years, Sylvester A. Peterson; her children, Randy (Sharon) Kissane, Sue (Dave) Breiby, Robert (Peggy) Kissane, Sheri Wood; and Carrie (Mike) Shinstine; and three children from an extended family, Allen (Sharon) Peterson, Richard (Roxanne) Peterson, and Steve (Iris) Peterson; several grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia (Don) Mueller. She is further survived by her dog, Casey, who was a source of comfort to Loretta. She was preceded in death by her sister, Bulah (Al) Rockweiler; and brother, Harold (Bernice) Shields. A Celebration of Life will be held with a Mass of Christian Burial at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5306 Main St., McFarland, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct.7, 2011, with Father Steve Smith presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. The family of Loretta Peterson would like to thank the dedicated, hard-working staff on the 8th floor oncology department at Meriter Hospital, especially to Monica, Steve, David, and Brenda. The family could have never gotten through Loretta’s courageous battle with leukemia without the outstanding help from the HospiceCare team. We owe them a gratitude of thanks. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to HospiceCare Inc. and Christ the King Catholic Church. Cemetery: Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to HospiceCare Inc. and Christ the King Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. A Celebration of Life will be held with a Mass of Christian Burial at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5306 Main St., McFarland, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct.7, 2011, with Father Steve Smith presiding.