Linda Petersen

Petersen, Linda A. MADISON/ MILWAUKEE/ RACINE - Linda A. Petersen, age 51, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2007, after a tenacious 19 year battle with cancer. She was born on May 17, 1955, in Racine, the daughter of LeRoy and Rhoda (Oberheu) Petersen. Linda graduated with honors from Racine Washington Park High School in 1973, attended St. Olaf College and graduated cum laude from UW-Eau Claire with a bachelor of music education. She was an instrumental music editor for Neil A. Kjos Music Company in San Diego. She became an editor, author and clinician for Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee. Linda was the author of the first "Teacher Resource Kit," published by Hal Leonard and was the driving force of "Essential Elements Band Method Series." In 1994, she became the Director of Programs for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) in Madison. She also implemented the composer/ mentor scholarships for the annual Student Composition Project, the Wisconsin State Marching Band Championships and the High School State Honors Music Project. In 1996, Linda was inducted in the Racine Washington Park High School Hall of Fame. In 2004, she received a Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. WSMA named the Music Festival List of more than 8,000 titles the "Linda A. Petersen Festival Music Library." She was a member of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations and served on the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Board of Directors. Linda touched thousands of lives with her steadfast belief to perpetuate music education with her positive attitude, remarkable character and extraordinary grace. She is survived by her brother, Bill (Cathy) Petersen of Fairfax Station, Va.; her mother, Rhoda Adelsen of Wauwatosa; distant relatives; and many friends from all over the country. A memorial service will be held at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago St., Madison, at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 18, 2007, with the Rev. John Ruppenthal presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the WSMA High School State Honors Endowment Plan or the Linda A. Petersen Festival Music Library in care of the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, 1005 Quinn Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597. Very special thanks to the wonderful HospiceCare staff, Dr. Jim Cleary, Dr. Charles Ford and the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center for their amazingly compassionate care.