"I am a volunteer at Oak Park Place and met Ludwig & Adele several years ago. Every monday morning when I arrived, they would usually be sitting in their same spot and always welcomed me and my piano playing. There were times Ludwig would bring stacks of sheet music to have me play through and I learned many good tunes through his music! When I began accordion lessons he gave me a suitcase full of music that he didn't want. He touched my life immensely and there is a huge void at Oak Park without him there on monday mornings. I hope a bit of his music will live on in me as I share it with others at Oak Park. My sympathies to the family. Sincerely, Kaye Ketterer Oak Park Volunteer"
In loving memory of
Ludwig Austin Petersen
January 20, 2013
Ludwig "Pete" Austin Petersen, 93, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at his home, surrounded by those who loved him. Pete, a longtime resident of Dane County, will be remembered for his quick wit, sharp intellect, generous giving, charming personality and loving spirit.
Pete was born to Lawrence Petersen and Thela Johns on November 7, 1919, in Des Moines, IA. Upon graduation, he attended UW-Whitewater and earned a B.S. in Geography Education and a M.A. in Education Administration. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in August 1943 and served his country in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters during World War II. Upon his discharge from the service, he went on to have an exemplary career in Education. Pete was a teacher and principal for several years, and ultimately served as Superintendent of Schools for the Melrose, Portage and Fond du Lac school districts. During the final 15 years of his distinguished career, Pete worked for the Department of Public Instruction, first as an Administrator of the Cooperative Educational Services Agency (CESA) and, finally, as the Supervisor of CESA's. His impact on the state's educational system has been everlasting.
On February 17, 1972, Pete married his soul mate, Adele McConahey, who, like himself, was an accomplished musician. They met at a music store, where Adele was playing a song on a piano. With his classic charm, Pete sat down at another piano and joined in, starting a duet that would last more than 40 years. For more than four decades, they shared a life filled with love, laughter, music, golf, travel, card games and countless close friends.
Pete loved his family and friends, and was loved in return. While our world has lost a true friend and gentleman, we are better people for having had him in our lives. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit will live on through our shared stories, laughter and memories of a beautiful life richly and fully lived.
Pete was predeceased by parents; first wife, Kathryn; son, Rodney; sister, Helen; and brothers, Donald, John and Lawrence Jr. He is survived by his wife Adele; sons, Donald of Milwaukee, and Brian (Linda) of Fond du Lac; daughters Kristen Seidner of Netanya, Israel, and Karla (Fran) Allas of Alta Loma, CA; sisters Mary (Robert) DeSalvo of Park Ridge, IL, Betty (William) Wallace of South Range, WI, Jude (Alan) Wallace of Vashon, WA, Patte (Rod) Luoma of Eveleth, MN, and Palma (Robert) Carlaw of Bremerton, WA; step-sister Joan Kurtz, of Bolingbrook, IL; dear friends Bernie and Jane Powers and family, and Bill and June Egstad and family; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pete was deeply grateful for the dignified and loving care he received from the staff at Oak Park Place, his home for the past several years.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 24 at Cress Funeral Home, located at 1310 Emerald Terrace in Sun Prairie from 2:00-4:00PM. A funeral service will follow immediately at 4:00PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sun Prairie Colonial Club or the Bernie Powers Band Foundation.
Tributes
"We certainly enjoyed the time with Ludwig and Adele when they returned to Portage, and even after they moved, when they would come back to visit us ... prayers for all of the family and friends ... "well done, good and faithful servant""
"We will never forget Lud. He was a delight in our car pool, a great guest at parties, full of surprises as "Santa" , a well respected colleague and a good friend. He will be missed."
"Seems there was never a visit that didn't end without singing "The More We Get Together, The Happier We'll Be" song. Uncle Pete certainly brought a lot of happiness to those he met along the way and will always be remembered for his wit, charm and good-heartedness. "