DANA LEWIS PETERSON, 63. Dana was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin, on January 18, 1954, and died in Menomonie on May 29, 2017 (Memorial Day), after a courageous fight against cancer.

Dana was a 1972 graduate of Menomonie High School. He was a high school football star. He was both feared and fearless. All Big Rivers Conference on both offense and defense. He was also a hard worker and good student. Dana went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After college Dana enlisted in the United States Army and served as a field hospital medic, SP4. Following his service Dana worked for a short time as a corrections officer at a prison “for the criminally insane,” as he called it, in Kentucky. When Dana was in his late twenties he was diagnosed with a major mental illness which he also fought for many years until the double-team by cancer took him out of the game for good.

Dana was pre-deceased by his parents, Carl L. Peterson, Kathleen “Kay” Peterson, and his step-mother, Glenyce Peterson. Dana was also pre-deceased by his daughter, Sue Anne Peterson, who he loved very much. Dana is survived by his sister Lucy (Larry) Bjork, Menomonie, brothers John Peterson, James Peterson, Menomonie, and step brother Fred Peterson, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; nephews Lewis (Heidi) Bjork, Menomonie, John (Julie) Bjork, Woodbury, Minnesota, and Trevor (Katelyn) Peterson, St. Paul, Minnesota; nieces Jamie Peterson, Menomonie, and Angela (Christopher) Yecke, Eugene, Oregon; also great nephews & a great niece.

Dana kept his wit and wry sense of humor to the very end. Dana endured great hardships and suffering in his life but accepted the hand he was dealt. Dana may have ruffled some feathers and burned a few bridges in his life but he had a kind and gentle soul. Moderation was not his strong suit. Like all of us he was a sinner. He is forgiven. He was loved by many. If he could, Dana would, among others, thank all the folks at Dunn County’s Community Support Program (CSP), Mayo-Hospice and Mayo-Menomonie. Dana was very proud to be an American and a Wisconsin Badger (and Sigma Chi). He loved his country and his community.

There will be a prayer service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Visitation will be one half hour before the service at the church. Dana will be interred on a later date at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner, Wisconsin.