Mahlon Peterson

Published on by Lyssa Seefeldt

From Julie Keown-Bomar,

“I am sad to inform you that Mahlon Peterson, retired Agriculture Agent in Eau Claire County, passed away on Sunday, January 14th.  He started with Cooperative Extension on July 1, 1987 and retired January 4, 2013.   Mahlon lived and breathed  Extension and he loved working with farmers. He was very fond of his colleagues and many of you probably spent time with him on committees, teams or in a long commute to a conference. We joked many times in the Eau Claire Office about who would hold Mahlon’s arm down at meetings so he wouldn’t raise it to volunteer for another role. He was always so eager to help out.”

View the Leader Telegram featured life story on Mahlon.

Mahlon J. Peterson

October 14, 1946 – January 14, 2018
Born in Clinton, Iowa
Resided in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Mahlon Peterson, 71, died January 14, 2018 at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire, surrounded by his family after a year long battle with lung cancer.
Mahlon John Peterson was born on October 14, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Harry and Mareta (Thompson) Peterson. Mahlon spent much of his youth helping on the family farm in Delmar, IA. Even though he was an only child, his nieces and nephews were like siblings to him and they shared many happy times as they grew up together. He graduated from Central Community High School in DeWitt, IA in 1964 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education and his Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville in 1969.

On June 7, 1969 he married Kathy Rogers and together they raised four children.
Mahlon had a passion for farming, teaching and agriculture. He taught vocational agriculture at Verona High School, West Delaware High School, and Delwood Lost Nation Schools in Wisconsin and Iowa. While teaching at the latter he also farmed and raised corn, soybeans, hogs and sheep. In 1987, he became the Agricultural Extension Agent for Eau Claire County, Wisconsin where he worked for 25 years before retiring in 2013. Throughout his career he was recognized many times for his leadership, contributions and dedication to his field. His colleagues remembered him for his vision, enthusiasm, outreach and mentoring.

Mahlon was an avid bowler and golfer. For a number of years he was active in the church as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He enjoyed meeting his Extension friends for coffee and socializing at the Senior Center. He loved playing bingo and slots with his wife as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Those left to honor Mahlon’s memory include his wife of 48 years Kathy; a son Andy (Deb) Peterson of Westminster, CO; daughters: Sara Rubitsky of Tomah, WI, Debbi Peterson of Eau Claire, WI, and Becky (Jeff) Paulson of Woodstock, IL; grandchildren Ally, Easton and Nolan; nephew Randy (Mary Kay) Beck of Davenport, IA; nieces: Judy (Carl) Ganzer of Maquoketa, IA, and Karen (Lloyd) Penningroth of Nevada, IA; and many other relatives and friends.

Mahlon was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Harvey Peterson; sisters: Camilla Beck and Flossie Cornelius; nephews Richard Cornelius and Gary Beck; an aunt Millie Kuehl.

A Celebration of Life will at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2018 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona with Fr. Don Meuret officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, January 18 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again 1 hour prior to services on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Friends of the Fair at PO Box 336, Augusta, WI 54722.