Clarence "Bud" Petersen

Clarence “Bud” R. Petersen passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 11, 2011, after a battle with brain cancer. A lifetime resident of Racine, Bud was born on July 21, 1925 to the late Elmer and Celia (Nee: Flanigan) Petersen.

Bud graduated from William Horlick High School “Class of 1943”. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. On January 29, 1945 he married Elaine Rasmussen, they remained married until 1970. He was a member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church. Bud was employed by MD Blower for seventeen years and J.I. Case for twenty years, retiring in 1985. After retiring, Bud spent many years as a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital. Honored by St. Luke’s for his dedication, attitude, and enthusiasm, Bud was named Senior Citizen of the Day twice, once in 1997 and again in 2000. Bud was an avid reader, enjoyed playing schafskopf, had a passion for travel and enjoyed life to the fullest. Loyal and devoted Bud will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Survivors include his five children, Sue (Mike) Donahue, Christine (Bill) Hansford, Curtis Petersen, Todd Petersen, Amy (Ed) Vuyk; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sisters, LaVerne (Ed) Kelsmark, Gloria Harmel, Sharon (Dennis) Broege; brother, Bill (Jane) Petersen; great friend, Scott Salituro; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer (Helen) Petersen and Celia Petersen; grandson, Brian Petersen; great-grandson, James Nowatzke; brother, Eugene Petersen; sister, Rosemary (Marvin) Johns; brother-in-law, Howard Harmel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 17, 2011, 11:30 a.m. at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green Street, with Rev. Don Zerkel officiating Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will be held Tuesday June 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Memorials to Hospice Alliance have been suggested.

Bud’s family would like to send their sincere gratitude to

Hospice Alliance, Society’s Assets, and to Bud’s special

Angels for the love and comfort given at the end of his life.

“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality”

-Emily Dickenson