Arnold Lynn Petersen, age 83, passed away at home on June 14th, 2024, with his loving family. He was born on May 14, 1941, to Dona and Arnold Petersen at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, WI. In school, he was an athlete, lettering in both high school (Neenah) and college (UW-Madison Extension). During his 30-year career, he worked as a draftsman, electrical engineer, and branch manager for Johnson Controls. Arnold enjoyed living on Lake Winnebago and spent his time fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, and traveling to Hawaii and Florida with his family. His most joyous times were when his children and grandchildren were all together having a cookout in the yard or watching movies around the Christmas tree. After retiring, Arnold moved to “the Farm” in Clintonville, WI where he devoted his time and talents to farming, family, and golf cart rides on his many trails.
Arnold was passionate about conservation and dedicated a portion of his property to wildlife habitat protection. His farming practices incorporated minimal tillage, crop rotation, nitrogen management and soil protection. His wildlife stewardship included building bird nesting boxes, managing forest land, planting an 11-acre pollinator habitat, and most recently planting 20,000 trees over 20 acres. In 2019, Arnold received the Conservation Farmer of the Year recognition in Shawano County.
He is survived by his sister Mildred Uttecht; daughters, Susan (John) Stejskal, Robin (Erik) Elias, Sarah (Graham) Gilson, and Cynthia Petersen; his grandchildren, Jacob (Shoal) Stejskal, Charles (Leslie) Stejskal, Jack Elias, Thaddeus Petersen, Senna Gilson, Lane Gilson, Solomon Gilson, and granddaughter Gilson due late summer, as well as many other nieces, nephews and extended relatives.
Arnold was preceded in death by his wife Sharon (mother of Sarah and Cynthia); his former wife Lynn Kruschka (mother of Susan, Arnold, and Robin), his parents, Dona and Arnold; his brothers, Michael and Jerry; his son, Arnold Petersen and grandson Kevin Petersen.
A private memorial service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah followed by a celebration of life at a future date on Arnold’s farm in Clintonville, WI.
Arnold ‘s sense of humor and passion for living a full and meaningful life will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers: Aldo Leopold Foundation
https://www.aldoleopold.org/donate/one-time-donation OR
Boys and Girls Club of Wisconsin
https://www.bgcwisconsin.org/donate