Harry Lee Petersen, age 92, of Luck, Wisconsin (Georgetown) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 with family by his side. Funeral Services will be held 2 PM Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Georgetown Lutheran Church in Georgetown township with Pastor Diane House presiding. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, March 23rd at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin and one hour prior to the service at the Church.

Harry L. Petersen was born on September 3, 1924 to Frank and Edna (Sund) Petersen in rural Amery. Harry was the 4th of 10 children. Harry attended the Apple River Valley School and graduated at the 7th grade. Harry enjoyed baseball at a young age and was a great pitcher. He also enjoyed hunting at a young age and that continued until he bought his last hunting license in November of 2016. Harry worked at the Everett Hubert Farm and also at Lampert Yards in Amery until he entered the Army at age 19. Harry served in North Africa and Italy at about 10 different camps. During World War II he was captured on January 13, 1944 by the Germans and held as a POW in Italy. He was able to escape capture when he was being transported on a train, when the airmen blew up part of the train and box car he was in. Harry then came back to the States in August of 1944. Harry trained recruits in Texas until December 10, 1945. After that he was honorably discharged in 1946. Harry received a World War II Victory Medal, One Bronze Service Star Metal, One Good conduct Metal and One Overseas Service Bar. Harry was very proud to serve his country.

In 1946 Harry took flying lessons and received his pilot licenses.

In September of 1946 he met the love of his life, June Joy Johnson, and on March 1, 1947 they were married in Center City, Minnesota. In March of 1950 Harry and June moved to their farm on Blake Lake and dairy farmed actively. On August 10, 1948 they were blessed with a daughter, Marilyn Joy Petersen Anthony. On November 5, 1950 they were blessed with another daughter, Nyla Jean Petersen Rothe. On October 31, 1954 they were blessed with a son, Gary Lee Petersen and on July 15, 1957 they were blessed with one more daughter, Debra Kay Petersen Peterson. Harry and June were married for 63 happy years.

Harry and June quit farming in 1972. Harry took a job working for Georgetown Township and worked there until he retired in 1991. After Harry retired he worked many hours in his small shop located at his home on Blake Lake. In his small shop he repaired lawn mowers, weed whips, chainsaws, tractors, or basically anything with an engine. Harry also enjoyed bow hunting, deer hunting and trap shooting, all of which he was very good at. He loved teaching his hunting tactics to the many who loved him. Even though he lived between the two Blake Lakes, Harry was not much of a fisherman. Harry was a member at Georgetown Lutheran Church for 67 years, where he was also confirmed and baptized.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife, June J. Petersen; his parents, Frank and Edna Petersen; Brothers, Robert, Norman and Laverne; sisters, Ethel, Mildred, Elaine, Francis and Betty. Left to mourn are his children, Marilyn (Robert) Anthony, Nila (Darrel) Rothe, Gary (Becky) Petersen and Debra Peterson (Friend, Paul Maier); a brother, Wayne (Janice) Petersen; Nine grandchildren, Jerry Petersen, Jamie Petersen, Vonda Canada, Scott Anthony, Amy Luehman, Adam Gullickson, Heidi Peterson Long, Ryan L. Petersen, and Camille Peterson; 12 Great Grandchildren, Matigann, Avalon, London, Pele and Karradine Luehman; Sailor Anthony; Briana and Zachary Petersen; Cole Kuschel ; Destiney Petersen, Brayden Petersen and Bradley Petersen, and many other loving relatives and friends.