Esther M. Petersen passed away at Atrium Senior Living on November 10, 2018, following a long battle with dementia.  She was born on February 6, 1935 in Custer, Wisconsin, the daughter of Frank, Sr. and Regina (Dudzik) Stroik.  The family later moved to Stevens Point where Esther attended school at St. Peter’s and the St. Joseph Academy.

Esther married Jerrold Petersen on August 20, 1955.  The couple settled in the Stevens Point area where they had three children, Debra, Tera and Chad.

Esther enjoyed polka dancing and spending time with family.  She always put family first and cared for them in their time of need.

She is survived by her daughter Tera (Robert) Blackford of Amherst, son Chad (Aimee Bleyer) Petersen of Mosinee, grandchildren Kelsey (Jeff) Lutz, Hayden Blackford, Alexis Blackford, Matthew Lorbecki and Erica Lorbecki and great-children Cheyanne King and Jaycee Lutz.

Brothers Gary (Nancy) Stroik and Donald (Joyce) Stroik, sister Geraldine (Jim) Guzman,

Esther was preceded in death by her father Frank Stroik Sr., mother Regina (Dudzik) Stroik, step-father Frank Hoppa, her husband Jerrold, daughter Debra Gipp, brothers Clarence Stroik, Elmer Stroik and Frank Stroik, Jr. and sister Alice Levandowski. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in 838 Freemont St. in Stevens Point. Rev. Steve Brice will Officiate.  Burial will follow at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.  Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Pisarski Funeral Home, 703 Second Street, Stevens Point, and from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  There will be a rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.   Pisarski Funeral Home is Honored to be serving the family.  For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Atrium Senior Living and Ascension Hospice Services for their care and compassion.