James "Jim" Peterson

James Peterson

October 19, 1945-November 10, 2025

James "Jim" Peterson was born on October 19, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Othmar and Charlotte Peterson. He was called home to his Lord at age 80 on November 10, 2025.

In 1968, Jim met the love of his life, Donna Pulvermacher, while studying at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. They were married on August 22, 1970. Jim and Donna lived together in their Milwaukee home for more than 50 years. He was blessed with three children, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Jim is survived by his children Randy (Melissa) of Millerton, Iowa; Christopher (Shannon) of Baraboo, Wisconsin; and Robin (James Hensersky) of Milwaukee. He is further survived by grandchildren Allison, D'Anna, Daryl, Cody, Dylan, Cally, Spencer, Adra and Violet, and great-grandchildren Kinsley, Carter, Lucas, Emilia, Ella, Emmanuel, Taliyah, Isaiah, Christopher, Amara and Elianna. He was predeceased by his parents and beloved wife Donna.

With Donna at his side Jim was ordained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church in 1990. While he took his duties seriously he enjoyed making the "church ladies" giggle after services with dad jokes. He always had a treat in his pocket for the pastor's dog and especially relished over-blessing the alto section of the choir with incense. He was proud to celebrate 25 years in the deaconate with a card that stated "Commit acts of random Holiness, haphazard silliness, senseless acts of confusion, and spend time doing extraordinary things with unusual folk, listen to your heart always and never grow up!" After retiring from active duties, Jim went on to make rosaries in his "Little Old Rosary Company" for anyone who needed them. He guaranteed the rosaries "would not rust, warp, shrink or shrivel up, have a lifetime guarantee to save souls and if it failed, just return it for a full refund".

Jim was a performer with music in his soul and a love of laughter. He started playing guitar at an early age and became a member of the local Milwaukee ban the "Triumphs". Jim never let his children forget their hit "Surfside Date" was played on local Milwaukee radio. One instrument was not enough and Jim picked up the bass guitar and tenor saxophone in high school. Jim was thrilled to play the saxophone in Circus World Museum's Big Top Band for over a decade. He enjoyed pulling pranks on the ringmaster and bandleaders in an effort to make them laugh out loud during performances. After mastering the saxophone Jim learned to play the bagpipes and played with the Billy Mitchel Scottish Pipes and Drums. Ever the mischief-maker, Jim decided he should strike out on his own and became a familiar face performing as the "the Lone Piper with his Amazing Flaming Bagpipes of Devastation and Doom" at Wisconsin State Fair. While many songs did not translate well to bagpipes he was always proud to try to play any request. After retirement Jim took up the harp.

Jim's father instilled a love of the circus by taking him to see Ringling Brothers when the show came to town. As a teenager Jim began making model circus layouts and taking his models to put on display. Somehow in the thick of raising three kids, Jim managed to convince Donna they should volunteer at Circus World Museum and the Great Circus Parade. Every weekend of the summer Jim and Donna would pack up the three kids, two dogs, three bikes, four coolers, five duffel bags, one saxophone in the maxi-van and head to Baraboo. Jim loved his time at Circus World Museum. He started out by helping paint some wagons, eventually moving over to the draft horse department and the Big Top Band. The Great Circus Parade was the highlight of the summer. Jim helped on the train crew, the mat crew and assisted with the horse tent layouts. He loved camping out in his home city on the Circus Parade Grounds. Jim was proud that volunteering for Circus World Museum and the Great Circus Parade provided his family a unique family "vacation" experience and quality time together.

Jim's call to volunteer provided other opportunities for his family. He enjoyed participating in local parades with his kids as "Floyd the Clown", served as a scout master for his sons' boy scout troop as well as their soccer coach for the Milwaukee Kickers. On any snowy morning (at 4 am none-the-less) he and the entire family would shovel for elderly people in the neighborhood who could no longer complete the task.

Jim's culinary "prowess" was legendary in the family. Cherry flavored purple pancakes (burnt on the outside and raw on the inside) were an actual thing (multiple times). Cheeseburgers were favored. Hershey bars were preferred to Lindor chocolate. Rectangle pizzas were novel, and cereal was chosen by what was on the box- not the actual food contained. Vegetables were not celebrated.

Jim will always be remembered for his sense of humor, compassion, gentleness, silliness, joyful and generous ways. His family cannot wait to see him again "down the road" and echo the familiar call to him: "May All Your Days Be Circus Days!"

In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts can be made in Jim's name to the St. Catherine Catholic Church Food Pantry. Saint Catherine Church, 5101 West Center Street, Milwaukee, WI 53210.