Lois Petska

With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Lois Ann (Seibel) Petska, 75, of rural Bloomer on February 6. Lois was born to Bertram J. and Jeanette M. (Jenneman) Seibel on June 10, 1949. She was raised on a dairy farm in Bloomer, WI, the third of six children. She attended Brush Prairie Country School and St. Paul's Catholic School, graduating from Bloomer High School in 1967.

Lois married John Leroy Petska at St Paul's Catholic Church on September 7, 1968. They started married life in Chippewa Falls, WI, where she was employed at Mason Shoe Company. After their first child Cheryl was born, they built a home near Cornell Lake and added two more children, Lori and Rick, to their family. Lois stopped working to lovingly care for them, along with providing childcare to several neighborhood children. In 1984, she and John started a family business, Petska Plumbing. After completing coursework in bookkeeping at CVTC, Lois managed the company's records and made sure the books were figured "down to the last penny."

She also served as a plumber's "go-fer," but joked that John just took her along to the job sites so that he didn't have to kiss her goodbye. She would bounce in the van seat and sing Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," as they started out in the morning.

Once her children were raised, she went back to work briefly at Mason Shoe Company and Johnson Matthey. After semi-retirement (she still had to do the bookwork), she enjoyed traveling with John to his Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power board conventions.

Lois had many hobbies: reading, gardening flowers and vegetables, baking, card playing, and camping with extended family. She crocheted many doilies and gifts over the years, including baptismal outfits for each of her five grandchildren. Lois loved thrift shopping and liked to show off her bargain blazers and blouses, all which were adorned with a little extra bling. Despite a dream kitchen update, Lois still had an appreciation for old things. She kept her original 1971 oven and range that worked perfectly, except for one burner dial that operated backwards.

She was known for her potato dumplings, coleslaw, homemade wine, pies, peanut butter candy bars, caramel rolls, and extravagant Thanksgiving dinners. More than anything, Lois enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an avid supporter of any activity her grandchildren participated in and loved attending their events. She carried mints in her pocket to share during and after the event.

Lois is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, John Petska; her three children, Cheryl (David) Scheidler, Lori (Shawn) Waller, and Richard (Jill) Petska; three siblings, Joan (Thomas) Schwartz, Janet (Jim) Michaud and Kathy Budzinski; five grandchildren, Nathan Waller, Karissa Petska, Breanna Waller, Brooke Petska, and Rhett Petska; sisters-in-law, Clayann Geissler and Pat (Richard) Popple; three step-grandchildren, Olivia (Cody) Bergeron, Matthew (special friend Kylea) Scheidler, and Michael (special friend Morgan) Scheidler; step-great-grandchildren, Brooks Scheidler and Avery Scheidler; and by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Bertram and Jeannette Seibel; siblings, Donna Falkenberg and Paul Seibel; granddaughter, Erin Waller; father and mother-in-law, Clayton and Emma Petska; and brothers-in-law, Rodger Falkenberg and Myron Budzinski.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13 at Thompson Funeral Home in Bloomer from 4-7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. There will also be a short visitation at Thompson Funeral Home Friday, February 14 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Bloomer, WI, on Friday, February 14 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Victor Feltes, and Deacon Craig Voldberg (family friend) celebrating the mass. A luncheon will take place at the White Pine Pavilion immediately following mass.

Private interment will be held by the family at a later date at St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery.

Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit chippewavalleycremation.com.