Obituary of Leon A. Peters

Leon A. Peters, age 91, of Rudolph, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Arborview Court Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Rudolph. Rev. Rolando Onden will officiate. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery with military rites rendered by American Legion Post 485. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the church. A rosary service will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home. Leon was born September 20, 1922 in Rudolph, WI to Joseph and Elizabeth (Micke) Peters. He attended St. Philip's Catholic Schools in Rudolph and graduated from Rudolph High School. He began work at Consolidated Papers Inc. in the Rapids Division. On April 18, 1942 Leon was united in marriage to Adeline Zimmerman. The couple was blessed with 72 years of marriage. Leon served his country in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946 in the Pacific Theatre and saw combat in Guam, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Tokyo. He served aboard the USS Garrard and from that vessel was able to witness the signing of the peace treaty that ended the war. When he returned from the war, Leon went back to work for Consolidated, this time at the Biron Division where he remained until his retirement in 1984. In addition to working at Consolidated, Leon and Adeline farmed in Rudolph. They also built and ran the U & I Inn, now known as Jokers. Leon was a charter member of American Legion Post 485 in Rudolph and was also a member of VFW Post 2534 in Wisconsin Rapids. Leon had a great sense of humor and was known for being a jokester. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time hunting and fishing. Leon was a craftsman and enjoyed woodworking and creating jewelry. He and Adeline had a theory that you should do things you can while you are young, and they did. They traveled a lot, taking trips to Alaska and Germany and many cross country car trips to see relatives and friends throughout the United States. They also enjoyed spending time with family at the cabin on Michigan Island, part of the Apostle Islands. Leon is survived by his wife, Adeline; four children: Carol Peters of Wisconsin Rapids, Jerry (Donna) Peters of Rudolph, Betty (Robert) Strosin of Wisconsin Rapids, and Paula Peters of Rudolph; eight grandchildren: Denise (Kevin) Brandl, Diane (Dave) Kohls, Erik (Shelli) Peters, Tina (Rich) Houston, Leon Peters, Julie (Larry) Wenning, Karen (Jack) Johnsen, and Jeff (Becky Zimmerman) Lanzi; seventeen great-grandchildren: Kayla, Courtney, Chelsey, Cody, Cassidy, Jared, Jordan, Vaughan, Reese, Ben, Kirby, McKinsey, Jeremiah, Tyler, Kate, Joey and Josh; and five great-great-grandchildren: Caden, Connor, Evelyn, Eli and Oakley. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: Tony, Harold, Melvin,Cyril and Clarence, and three sisters: Minerva, Olive, Lorraine.