Roger E. Peterson, 81, of La Crosse, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse, Wis.

He was born Aug. 30, 1925 in Lake Mills, Iowa to Russell D. and Clara (Reveland) Peterson. Russell is a 1944 graduate of Lake Mills High School. He then served four years in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre as a pharmacist mate. Roger was very proud of the fact that his tour of duty involved helping injured and dying soldiers.

On Nov. 1, 1952, he married Marion Miller in Winona. Roger was employed with Dairyland Power as superintendent of heavy maintenance for 39 years retiring in 1988. He was a lifetime member of the Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530 and a member of the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, both of La Crosse, Wis. Roger was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Masonic Frontier Lodge No. 45 F & AM of La Crosse, Wis.

Survivors include his wife, Marion of La Crosse, Wis.; one daughter, LeaAnn (Greg) Bubnich of Madison, Wis.; four sons, Barry (Sharon) Peterson of Grand Forks, N.D., Russell (Barbie) Peterson of La Crosse, Wis., David Peterson of Coon Valley, Wis., and Bill Peterson of La Crosse, Wis.; five grandchildren, Brian Peterson of Fargo, N.D., Michael (Elizabeth) Peterson of Moorhead, Candi Peterson and Nick Bubnich, both of Madison, Wis., and Timothy Peterson of Coon Valley, Wis.; two great-grandchildren, Alexia T. Peterson and Shaylee Peterson; two sisters, Barbara Rhiger of Annandale, Va., and Karen (Jerry) Younggreen of Denver, Colo.; one brother, Dean (Gloria) Peterson of Alden; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, Wis. The Rev. Roger Hjelle and the Rev. Heather Lampert will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530, Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, and the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program will conclude the service. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, Wis., with a Masonic service to be held at 7:45 p.m. Friends may also call from noon until the time of service, Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the doctors and nurses on the seventh floor of Franciscan Skemp Medical Center for the excellent and compassionate care given to Roger.