Name: Celebration of Life for Daniel James Petersen
Start: 2023-07-09T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-07-09T20:00:00.000Z
Location: E.B. Shurts Building

Daniel James Petersen, 71, peacefully passed away at his home in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on the morning of Thursday, April 20, 2023.

He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 24, 1951, son of the late James 'Bud' Petersen and Mary Ann (Judicki) Petersen.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Rhonda (Spohrleder) Petersen; brother Ron (Sherry) Petersen of Cary, North Carolina; and his daughters Anna Petersen (Sean Rice) of Ottawa, Canada, and Emily Petersen of Bend, Oregon; as well as other relatives and friends.

Dan was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Mary Karlen Petersen, and his sister, Joyce (Petersen) Firchow.

Dan's childhood was filled with numerous academic pursuits and a passion for music. After starting out as an engineering major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he quickly switched his major to music, graduating with a degree in music education in 1974. During his time at UW, Dan was famous for his role as trumpeter of the popular funk band, Skyway.

After starting his career in Rockford, Illinois, Dan worked as a band director at Slinger High School, followed by Wauwatosa East High School (where he took his students to New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade), and finished his teaching career at Longfellow Middle School. Even in retirement, his love for music continued and he spent time working with friends at White House of Music in Waukesha.

Throughout his career, Dan was an active member of the Wisconsin State Music Association (WSMA), where he served as a Festival Adjudicator for both District and State Solo Ensemble Festivals and Concert Group Festivals. He also was an active marching band judge, and for many years, was involved in the Wisconsin High School State Honors Music Project as section coach, ensemble coordinator and chairman.

During his time at University of Wisconsin, he met Mary Louise Karlen and they married on December 27, 1976, at St. Stanislaus Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. A brass quintet comprised of close friends played beautiful music at the celebration. Dan and Mary lived in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin for many years, where both of their daughters, Anna and Emily, were born. The family later moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where they put down roots. After Mary's untimely death due to brain cancer, Dan became the sole parent of his two young daughters.

Devoting his life to raising Anna and Emily, Dan later met Rhonda Spohrleder, and together, they built a happy and loving life. They married on July 11, 2009, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Waukesha, and they held a reception in their backyard afterward with friends and family.

Dan and Rhonda spent the last almost nine years enjoying the peace, serenity and mild weather of Mountain Home with their two Goldendoodles, Jazzie and Sadie Mae. Dan took great joy in his yard work, rose bushes and bird feeders. When he wasn't enjoying his home or a Green Bay Packers game, Dan and Rhonda loved to travel and see the country.

Dan had a profound impact on many people, both personally and professionally, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be from 1-3 p.m. (program at 1:30 p.m.) on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the E.B. Shurts Building, 810 W. College Ave., Waukesha, Wisconsin, 53186. See https://everloved.com/life-of/daniel-petersen/ for more information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Baxter Bulletin from May 9 to May 12, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Petersen

Sponsored by Baxter Bulletin.

3 Entries

Heidi Baumann-Schuppel

May 22, 2023

Dan set high standards for his himself, his students, and those working around him. He helped make me a better music educator. Rest in peace Dan.

Laurie Dolge

May 14, 2023

My favorite memory of Dan the Man, as the Class of `95 at Tosa East called him, was a day when we were rehearsing for a competition. He barked an order to be ready to start the moment he came back. Dan was going to record our performance so we could hear what we needed to improve on with our own ears.

We, as a wind ensemble, decided to switch the piece of music we would play. So..... in he walks, all serious and ready to bust our chops..... the competition piece we were working on starts out quietly.... We didn´t play that.

He raises his hands, gives the go ahead and we BLAST him with baaaaaam, ba, BAAAAAAAAAAM! I can´t remember the name of the piece, but it matches Ride of the Valkries for intensity. Dan turned around into the microphone with a huge smile on his face and said something only that microphone heard. It was one of those moments where an entire group of 50 people shared this hilarious moment that would never happen again.

He was a teacher who made you want to be better every day. We cried as an ensemble the night he conducted us the last time. I was a sophomore when he left Tosa East to go to Longfellow. I´ve never forgotten him, he was one of the best.

I´m so sad he´s gone. Praying for all of his family. He will always be Dan The Man to me.

Dave Hanke

May 8, 2023

I had the privilege and honor of working with Dan during his years at Slinger high school. He was a brilliant music educator Who also made a huge impact on the lives of all of his students. Truly he was a special man and will be missed by all who knew him.

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