Margery E. Peterson, 86, passed away October 29 at Whispering Pines in Plover, Wis. while she was listening to the Badger game.  

Her spirit and will and strong mind long outlasted a body that had been tested by pain and illness for many years. Margery always had a smile on her face despite everything going on.

She was the third of four children born on September 26, 1930 at her parent’s residence in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. to Arthur H. and Olga L. (Buerger) Polansky. She was in the class of 1948 from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids and also attended Valparaiso University in Indiana. Margery was an amazing flute player being in both the band and orchestra while in high school and college. She was also a member of the Stevens Point Symphony in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Margery was also a member of the first graduating class of UW-Green Bay’s Institute for Municipal Clerks.

Margery married William H. Peterson on September 25, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. They enjoyed over 57 fun filled years together until his death on January 25, 2012. They moved to Stevens Point right after their marriage but then settled in Whiting in 1962. They grew a family of two daughters and one son.  

Prior to Margery’s marriage she worked at Preway Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids. After her three children were in school she went back to work on February 9, 1969 as a deputy clerk/treasurer for the Village of Whiting/Utilities.  

In 1976 she was appointed clerk/treasurer and then appointed every two years after that. The Village of Whiting was proud of the fact that they had one of the first certified municipal clerks in the state. As one board member stated, “She was kind of the hub and the most visible part of the village”.

Margery usually was the person village board members turned to for advice and her opinion was asked before a decision was made on municipal matters. In May 1993 Margery retired from the Village of Whiting/Utilities after 24 years of service. Margery and her family spent almost all of their vacations at their cabin in Springstead, Wis. She was actually able to get back up to the cabin twice this past summer and very much enjoyed visiting with her Springstead “family”.   

After retirement, she and William started traveling more and got to go to Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Alaska, Hawaii and also traveled the United States via Amtrak and driving. She was an avid Badgers fan. On January 1, 1994 Margery and William got to travel to the Rose Bowl Game and watched the Badgers win the championship.  

She also loved the Packers and went to a few of those games also. William would always leave the room when the Packers were on because Margery would get so excited or frustrated. In the summer time the Brewers games were always on. Margery also enjoyed reading, word search puzzles, playing cards with her grandchildren and watching the game shows on TV. Margery and William also loved to polka and waltz in their younger days. Many Sundays were spent at the American Legion Hall in Downtown Stevens Point.  

Margery was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 6 for 47 years. She was also a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she served on the Alter Guild and attended the YAHS group.

She is survived by her daughter Connie (Paul) Mikel and son Eric (Lynne) Peterson; grandchildren Cassie (Walter) Randolph, Derek (Sarah) Chambers, and Skyler and Shayla Peterson; great-grandchildren Michael and Mickey Timms and Cooper Chambers; two step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Ken (Jackie) Polansky and Jerry (Betty) Polansky; one sister, Dorothy (Ed) Hartman; husband William Peterson; daughter Candy Peterson Whitney and grand-daughter Angeleaque C. Whitney.

A Funeral Service will take place on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 11 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1919 Wyatt Ave, with Pastor Steve Hulke officiating. Visitation will also be held at the church on Monday from 10 AM until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Margery’s name will be established at a later date. Boston Funeral Home of Stevens Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Whispering Pines for their excellent and compassionate care provided during her residency there and also a big thank you to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Cardiovascular Associates.