Barbara R. Peterson, 85, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Tuesday evening, June 4, 2019, at St. Clare Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 7, 1933, in Gillett to Otto and Alma (Robinson) Heckendorf. She grew up in Gillett where she attended public schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1951.
On June 26, 1954, she married Myles Peterson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gillett. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Colorado for two years before returning to Oconto Falls. Barbara, “Hon” as she was affectionately known, was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls where she once taught Sunday school. She will be lovingly remembered as a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, who always cared for others by putting their needs first. Also known as a good cook and baker, she would make special birthday cakes for her grandchildren which they would select out of a book and together they would bake cakes which looked like anything from animals to farm machinery. Barbara loved spending time with her family and especially babysitting her grandchildren.
Survivors are her two daughters, Karen (Roger) Blaser and Jayne (Terry) Radke, both of Oconto Falls; five grandchildren, Josh, Erik (Megan), Andy (Karen) and Trisha (fiancé Paul) Blaser and Alyssa Radke; six great-grandchildren, Madison and Landon Blaser, Arlo and Alten Blaser, Walker and Waylon Blaser; one sister-in-law, Kathy Heckendorf, Green Bay; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Myles, in 2004; four brothers, Harold (Illetta), Kenneth (Sylvia), Victor (Mildred) and Otto Heckendorf Jr.; two sisters, Betty (William) Bitters and June (George) Voght; and two grandsons.
Funeral services were postponed until further notice.