Betty Jean "B.J." Petersen

Betty Jean “B.J.” Petersen, 80, of Loves Park, formerly of Racine, WI, died Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Amberwood Care Center. B.J. was born August 2, 1936, in Racine, WI, the daughter of Al and Betty (Engstrom) West. She taught in the Milwaukee Public Schools for many years, earning her Master’s Degree in Education. B.J. married Richard Petersen in Waukegan on June 21, 1956. Together they raised 5 children. B.J. was a longtime member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Racine and most recently a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford. She had many interests including singing, reading, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. B.J. also decorated wedding cakes and made beautiful jewelry. She love traveling and camping with the family. B.J. was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.
B.J. is lovingly survived by her husband, Dick Petersen; her children, Craig (Betty) Petersen of Racine, WI, Kim (Gary) Campbell of Rockford, Hope (Steve) Walker of Milwaukee, Michelle (Joe) Bekkers of Greenfield, WI, and David (Sheri) Petersen of Machesney Park; her grandchildren, Elizabeth (Lucas) Keaton, Brandon (Tasha) Campbell, Andrew (Kelly) Campbell, Anastacia Campbell, Joshua (Kelly) Walker, Benjamin, LeAnne and Christopher Walker, Heather and Melissa Bekkers and Zacheriah and Samantha Petersen; her great-grandchildren, Elsie and Ethan Keaton; her brother, Roger West of Dallas; her sisters, Marilynne (Paul) Wolf of Diamond Head, MS, and Ruth Gastrow of Racine; her brother-in-law, Curtis (Phillis) Petersen of Sebring, FL: many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents and her in-laws, Pete and Edna Petersen.
Memorial services will be at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. Rockford, with Reverend Tony Dusso officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. until time of service at the church. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.