Rodney E. Peterson, age 64, of Rice Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Rod was born to Gerald and Janice Peterson on November 15, 1959.

He grew up in rural Almena, and graduated from Barron High School in 1978. He enlisted in Wisconsin Army National Guard August 15, 1980 and was Honorably discharged as a SGT/E-5 on Jan 27, 1989. He was self-employed as a carpenter/roofer most of his life and retired from Republic Services in September of 2020, after 22 years of service.

Rod was a proud father of three sons. In addition to his loving family, he had a passion for athletics and outdoor sports. He played slow pitch softball for most of his adult life and was an avid Rice Lake Warrior, Green Bay Packer and WI Badger fan. He enjoyed many years of snowmobile and ATV trail rides. Rod’s happy place was on the lake fishing, or in the woods hunting wild game with his dad, brothers, and sons.

He is survived by sons, Matthew Peterson of Rice Lake, Nathan Peterson of Chesapeake, VA and Brandon (Kaitlyn) Peterson of Rice Lake; grandchildren, Peyton, Nathan, Jr. and Kinsley Rose; brothers, Mark (Gail) Peterson of Eau Claire and Brian (Shauna) Peterson of Clear Lake; sisters, Lori (Patrick) O’Brien of Comstock and Gay (Mike) Wilcox of River Falls.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Janice Peterson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home (19 South Third Street) in Barron. A funeral service for Rodney will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Barron (4 West LaSalle Avenue) with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Poskin Lutheran Cemetery (15th Avenue, Poskin) and a luncheon at the Almena VFW (201 Soo Avenue E) in Almena.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Nov 30, 2023 1:36 pm CST