Judith A. Peterson

Judith A. Peterson (nee Hanson), age 84, peacefully fell asleep and was gathered to her people on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, WI. She was born on June 7, 1940, in Milwaukee to Arnold and Helen Hanson.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ronald A. (Pete) Peterson, her “Petey,” whom she met at the age of twelve while hanging out in front of a soda fountain in Milwaukee. Together, they had two sons who survive her: Steven (Catherine Santiago) Peterson of San Francisco and Timothy (Lisa) Peterson of Wausau.

Her sister-in-law, Susan Peterson and brother-in-law, Dennis Stielow, also survive Judy. Her grandchildren, who will dearly miss her, include Savannah (Jonathan) Keckeisen of Three Lakes, Nicholas Peterson of Wausau, Ian (Annalycia Escobor) Peterson of San Francisco, Emma (Charlie Nolan) Peterson of Minneapolis, Cole Peterson of San Francisco and great grandsons Arlo and Kane Keckeisen. She is further survived by nieces Cheryl Hintz and Amber Donovan, and nephews Ricky Becker and Gerry Franz and their families.

Her parents, as well as her brothers, Terry and Theodore, preceded Judy in death.

A Life Dedicated to Dance and Family

Judy’s love for dance began at a young age and never waned. She started dancing at the age of 4 with the Maxine Zipper Dance Studio on the northwest side of Milwaukee. As a young adult, she toured the country with a troupe called the Aqua Belles, performing both on stage and underwater! In 1963, she opened the Judy Peterson Dance Studio in the garage of her Stettin home. Over the years, as a teacher and choreographer, Judy participated in numerous workshops across the country, dancing alongside and learning from legendary figures like Joe Tremaine, Tommy Sutton, and Bruce Bristol.

From the early 1960s she taught, choreographed, and inspired thousands of dancers—both young and not-so-young. She also founded Dance Magic, a competition dance show that brought dance studios from across the Midwest to Wausau to celebrate the art of dance. Judy’s influence on the Wausau dance community was immeasurable, and her dedication to her students and colleagues was unparalleled. She will be deeply missed by many.

Her love for her students was boundless. She found immense joy in watching them learn, grow, and shine. Throughout her career, Judy created a second family of women who were like the sisters and daughters she never had.

Beyond the studio, Judy was an active member of Wausau’s community theater and dance scene for decades, helping to shape and guide the next generation of dance teachers.

Her love and dedication to the Judy Peterson Dance Studio community were unparalleled, but her love and devotion to her family were fierce. She loved her sons with every fiber of her being and welcomed the women they loved as her own.

But the person she couldn’t live without was Pete. They were married in 1959 when Judy was 19 and he was 21. She loved to say: “He had to marry me!” (pause for dramatic effect) “He owed me money!!!” Their bond went beyond mere love. They cherished one another, did everything together, and Judy missed him terribly when he traveled for business or hunting. She was the storm to his calm, and together they balanced each other perfectly.

A Spirit of Adventure and Fun

When she wasn’t teaching or running her studio, Judy loved to travel with Pete. Together, they enjoyed many adventures, including memorable trips to Mexico, Hawaii, and a special journey to Europe with their eldest granddaughter, Savannah.

There was also a big place in her heart for her four-legged friends of days gone bye: Lady 1, 2, and 3, Sarge, Cinderella, and Lizzie.  She spoiled them all rotten, and a day didn’t go by that she didn’t want to hop in the car for a quick adventure to find another Golden or Collie.

Judy had a special love for getting dressed up and the more sequins the better! Red, white, and blue were, of course, her favorite colors. Later in life, she looked forward to meeting her friends at 2510 for coffee and a cherry turnover with extra frosting. Her sweet tooth was legendary!

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the team at Home Health of Wisconsin, especially Rachel, Christy, and Gage (her “Love Boy”), as well as the wonderful nurses, doctors, and CNAs at Marshfield Medical Center for their exceptional care and compassion.

Funeral/Memorial Service Information

A visitation will be held at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, on Sunday, March 2, 2025 beginning at 12 noon with a service at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at Wausau’s Grand Theater Great Hall from 3-6pm. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Grand in support of Access for All which provides free and discounted tickets to qualifying children and families.

The Grand Theater
401 N. 4th Street, Wausau WI 54403
Tel: 1-715-842-0988
Web: https://www.grandtheater.org/support/