Diane M Peterson

Diane Peterson of Verona, WI, aged 78, passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice on June 2, 2023. She was born to Don Johnson and Mary (Scott) Johnson on May 9, 1945 in Fennimore, Wisconsin. She loved growing up on the dairy farm, and often shared memories of her family there. 

She was married to Tom Peterson on October 23, 1965, and for their honeymoon they drove out to the Marine base in Twentynine Palms, California. After Tom returned home from the Vietnam War, they moved to Madison, where her son Brandon was born. They then moved to Junction City, Wisconsin, where she lived for most of her life and where her daughter Jennifer was born.

Diane worked in accounting and payroll at various organizations, with a small break in the 1980’s to be a stay at home mom. After she retired, she discovered a talent for painting, and especially loved her time spent with her painting group from the Lincoln Center in Stevens Point. She also enjoyed traveling, and took several trips with her family, including a trip to Alaska with Brandon and Jennifer. Diane also appreciated spending time at the winery, drinking brandy old-fashioneds, and having ice cream on a summer day (or in the winter, or really any time).

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, her sisters Connie Mergen and Pat Feist, her brother Roger, and her Brother-in-laws Dick Mergen, Bud Feist, and Paul Graham. She is survived by her children, her brother Doug (Julie), her sister in law Pat Graham, many nieces and nephews, and her close friends Kathy Bronk, Kathy Tessmer, Linda Meyer, and Bobbi Ketchum. She is also survived by her granddog Moose; the two of them had a “mutual adoration society” and loved each other very much.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Agrace, as well as Noel Manor, for their help and care over the last few months as her battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease progressed. At Diane’s request, there will be no visitation or service. There will be a private celebration of life at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Agrace Hospice or other charitable organization. And, drink an old fashioned in her memory.