DeForest

Rita J. Peterson, age 88, passed away peacefully at Agrace HopiceCare, Janesville, on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. She was born June 23, 1928 in Madison, the daughter of the late Melvin and Tharsilla (Ruhrman) Kjorlie, Sr. She was united in marriage to Vincent Peterson on October 2, 1954 in Lodi. Rita retired from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health and Social Services in 1990 and since has enjoyed garage sales, knitting, cross stitching, reading, crosswords and spoiling her favorite dachshund, Minnie. Rita was an avid sports fan, following the Green Bay Packers, Badger Football and Badger Hockey. She was a member of the Blue Line Club for a number of years and also the leader of the Busy Bees 4-H Club in Waunakee for two years.

Rita is survived by her children, Donald (Cindy) Peterson of Arena, Susan (Mark) Chihuly of Ninilchik, Alaska, Debra (Dennis) Buss of Cottage Grove, Timothy (Brooke) Peterson of Rio; grandchildren, Ashley (Mike) Hess, Brianne Peterson, Natalie (Arsenio) Peterson; great-grandchildren, Kaeson and Ellias; siblings, Marcel (Sally) Kjorlie, Melvin (Alice) Kjorlie, Joyce Bohling, and Janice McWilliams; nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

In addition to her husband, Vincent, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Hobert Peterson; daughter-in-law, Karen Peterson; two brothers, Gerald and Thomas Kjorlie; and her two dogs, Heidi and Gretel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at ST. OLAF CATHOLIC CHURCH, 623 Jefferson Street, DeForest, with Father Vincent Brewer presiding. Private burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250

Rita Peterson

June 23, 1928 - March 29, 2017

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