"It is with sadness and loving memory that I extend our sympathies at the passing of my dear Uncle Clem for all in my family. I have very fond memories of many holidays and even some fishing trips with Uncle Clem and Aunt Doris. There is something more that I will always keep from my Uncle Clem that goes beyond just the joy of family. I will always keep the passion and power he held for his faith, principles, love and commitments. Whether from the pulpit or fishing pier, or from politics to Packers, I have learned from, admired, and respected the honesty and power behind his beliefs. You may not always have agreed with him, but you could not help but be strengthened by his words and passion. That is a memory and an admiration that will live with me always. It will live along with the sense of humor, giving and love so often demonstrated in the laugh filled verbal jousts between Uncle Clem and Aunt Doris. These always ended with a smile, a hug and her smiling face and twinkling eyes laid upon his shoulder. Go with God Uncle Clem but know you will always be in our hearts and have left us all better for having loved you. Your message will live on in our family. John, Kathy, John III, David, Kelly and Stefanie Heden "
In loving memory of
J. Clemmons Peterson
July 9, 1920 - December 31, 2010
Madison - The Rev. J. Clemmons Peterson, age 90, retired former senior pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Madison's west side died peacefully on December 31, 2010 surrounded by his loving wife and three children at Oakwood's Oaks after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Doris who also resides at Oakwood Village, his children, Dr. Ronald (Kathy) Peterson, of Edina, Minnesota, David Peterson of Pasadena, California, and Karen Peterson of Mequon, Wisconsin, as well as five grandchildren, Amy Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Laura Peterson, Kari Terrill, and Kirstie Terrill. Rev. Peterson was born to Esther and J. Clifford Peterson on July 9, 1920 in Osco, Illinois. He grew up on a 300 acre farm with his older brother Kenneth and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois near his home from 1938-1942. He attended the Augustana Theological Seminary in a war-shortened term from 1942-1945. His first call was to the small northern Wisconsin town of Ogema, where he led the congregation there, as well as two neighboring Lutheran congregations in Prentice and Westboro. It was in Ogema where he met his wife Doris who taught high school in Prentice. After two children they accepted a call to Gary, Indiana where he started a new congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church, located just south of Lake Michigan and the US Steel Mills. He moved to Madison's southwest side in 1956 to start another new Lutheran congregation which became Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The new congregation was organized in March of 1957 with 50 adults and held services in the basement of the parsonage. The first building was erected in 1959 and the current nave in 1965. He retired from the ministry in 1985 and has taken pride in the continued growth and ministry of the congregation as it has continued to expand even to a second site on Highway PD in Verona. A visitation for Rev. Peterson will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave., Madison. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 1 p.m. at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, Wis., 53711. A visitation will be held prior to service beginning at 12 noon. Memorials in Pastor Peterson's name may be gifted to Good Shepherd Foundation at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Tributes
"I send gentle sympathy and multiple prayers as my heart goes out to Clem's family at their loss but I feel some sweetness of joy to know that your husband, father, grandfather, brother is now in the hands of the God he so championed and loved. Christ died, Clem lives. May He continue to bless you and yours throughout eternity. Evelyn Heden "