MADISON - Louise Mary Petersen, age 71, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Tennyson Senior Living, with her devoted husband by her side. Louise courageously lived with stage-4 metastatic breast cancer for over 23 years, facing every challenge with unwavering grace and strength-a true inspiration to all who knew her.

Louise was born on May 29, 1953, in Port Washington, Wisconsin, the daughter of Frank and Germaine (Schreiner) Meyer. She graduated from Port Washington High School in 1971 and married the love of her life, William “Bill” Petersen, on October 9, 1977, in Milwaukee.

A dedicated psychiatric nurse, Louise served patients with compassion and expertise for 30 years, most recently at Meriter Hospital, where she retired in 2010.

Louise was a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a kind-hearted friend. Her greatest joy was her son, Isaac, to whom she was endlessly devoted. She was an avid reader and found fulfillment in sewing, knitting, and gardening. She cherished traveling-especially to Paris, New Orleans, California, and Oregon-and enjoyed social gatherings with Bill, high school reunions with the Port Washington Class of 1971, and a recent reunion with retired Meriter Hospital nurses.

Louise is survived by her husband, William; son, Isaac Petersen; siblings, Glenn (Gail) Meyer, Robert “Bob” (Deb) Meyer, Carol Schenkenberg, and Jackie (Ata) Arica; and many beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She was deeply grateful to her care team at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, especially her oncologists Dr. David Hei and Dr. Robert Hegeman; radiation oncologists Dr. Minesh Mehta and Dr. Kristin Bradley; palliative care physician Dr. Kate Scheuller; and the entire chemotherapy and nursing staff for their exceptional care and compassion.

Sincere gratitude is also extended to Agrace Hospice Care, especially nurse, Rebecca, and all the staff who provided compassionate support and comfort to Louise during her final year.

A tribute by the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard will begin promptly at 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, which would have been Louise’s 72nd birthday. A luncheon will follow the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Louise’s name to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Dane County.

Online condolences may be shared at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Louise M. (Meyer) Petersen

May 29, 1953 - May 11, 2025

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