Sigdor Petersen
November 08, 1929 - January 26, 2018
Obituary
MADISON/MONONA-Sigdor M. Petersen (aka “Tiny,” “Sig,” and “Pete”) age 88, of Monona, passed away on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, at his residence. He was born on Nov. 8, 1929, in Madison, the son of Glover and Inga (Moe) Petersen. Sigdor married Dorothy R. Schrader on Aug. 27, 1950. She passed away on May 15, 1994. On July 1, 1995, he married E. Maxine Miller. Sigdor served in the United States Navy and was a reservist. As a member of the Carpenter’s Local No. 314, he worked 32 years for the Madison School District. He was a Charter Member of Door Creek Church serving as a Sunday school teacher, AWANA leader, deacon, and elder and took several short-term missionary trips to Africa. In his later years, he enjoyed carving and painting and shared his work with many. He is survived by his spouse, E. Maxine; son, James S. (Jennifer) Petersen; son-in-law, Gary Garczynski; grandchildren, Adam, Nathan, Hannah, Jacob and Micah Petersen; Maxine’s daughters, Marsha Miller and Sharla Miller; Maxine’s three grandchildren, Danyel, Britta and Jessica; and great-grandchildren, Czarianna, Brady, Sarah, Ryan Jr., and Benjamin. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; daughter, Doris; siblings, Ivan, Hilda, Phillip, Melvin, Ruth, and Lela; and Maxine’s son, Daniel Miller. Funeral Services will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Dr. Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, with the Rev. Cal Steiner presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Memorials may be gifted in Sigdor’s name to Salvation Army or Door Creek Church.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Service
Mon Feb 5, 2018 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Door Creek Church (Madison) • 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, WI 53718
Service
Mon Feb 5, 2018 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Door Creek Church (Madison) • 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, WI 53718
Photos
No photos of Sigdor have been shared yet.
Memories
AA
Al and Carolyn Auby
Other •
Sigdor Petersen (Tiny) was one of the finest Christian men we have ever known. He served his Lord, his family, and others faithfully and sacrificially. He was an example to all who knew him. We have many happy memories of him from the 45 years of our friendship and worship together. We pray God's comfort for his family and share the blessed assurance with them that Tiny is with the Lord.
JC
John Carrier
Other •
Agrace Hospicecare volunteer. Rest in Peace
LM
Lisa Marie
Other •
Lifting for peace and healing, Gary!! So very sorry for your loss.
TF
Tom Cantwell, Badger Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Sigdor Petersen. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on April 2, 2011
SG
Sue Groves
Other •
Tiny will certainly be missed. You brought such joy to many.
TR
Tim Rockwell
Other •
It's ironic that Mr. Peterson's nickname was "Tiny" because to me, he was larger than life. Tiny was a staple at Buckeye and Door Creek and he was so proud to be a charter member. He wasn't proud of himself, he was proud of what God was up to on the far east side of Madison.
From the time I was a little boy, until just a couple months ago when I was back visiting, he would seek me out at almost every Sunday service. He may have slipped in a time or two that he thought our music was a little too loud, but he was ALWAYS encouraging and thanked me for serving on the worship team. To top it all off, he'd lean in real close (as Tiny often would) and tell me he was proud of me.
My two favorite memories of Tiny are:
1) The Thanksgiving Eve services. No need to say more. ;)
2) One time, Stuart Smith and I (probably 10 years old) were at the coffee table at church mixing hot chocolate powder with coffee and being wild (as is expected of Pastor's kids). Mr. Peterson called us over and we thought we were busted! Instead, he got down on our level and gave us this advice with a smile on his face: "you know boys, it's dangerous to drink hot coffee through those little straws. The coffee comes through too fast and you'll burn your tongue!" Then he sent us on our merry way. I've never drank hot coffee through a straw since that day.
You will be missed, Tiny. Thank you for your Godly example that has impacted generations!