Peter E. Oertel

Peter Edward Oertel, age 76, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024, at The Woods of Caledonia. He was born in Racine, WI, December 10, 1947, son of the late Frederick and Catherine (Nee: Prudent) Oertel. Peter graduated from Wm Horlick High School “Class of 1966”. He proudly served in the U.S. Army stationed in Vietnam. While serving, he received a permanent disabling injury to his legs. He received 2 Purple Hearts while in Vietnam. Peter returned to Racine and graduated from the College of Racine with a degree in accounting and went on to UW Whitewater earning a Master’s in Business.

Peter was an active member of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher, a CCD teacher, and a Eucharistic minister. He was a 4th degree knight and district warden in the Knights of Columbus and a longtime volunteer and leader in the Boy Scouts, serving at Camp Lyle as a counselor, program director and camp director. Peter was a very generous and giving person. He was always available to drive family and friends when needed. He will be remembered for his love of movies and the many times he brought his nieces and nephews to the theater as well as bringing them to auto shows. Peter loved sports and was an avid golfer, a frequent swimmer. and enjoyed watching football, baseball and basketball. Above all it was time spent with family and friends that he treasured the most. He was a devoted brother and uncle who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his brother, Fred (Chris) Oertel; nieces and nephews, Kim (John) Kuras, Tina (Scott) Corrigan, Jeremy (Natasha) Oertel, Nathan Oertel, Daniel Oertel; 1 great niece, 6 great nephews, and other relative and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his twin brother, Paul and his nephew, Fred IV.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave, Friday, May 31, 2024, 11 am with Fr. Thomas Vathappallil officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet prior to the Mass 10-11 am.

Memorials to Disabled American Veterans, American Heart Association or St. Lucy’s Church have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and the Staff at The Woods of Caledonia for their loving and compassionate care.