Ronald B. Peters

Ronald Bruce Peters, 87, passed away peacefully in the home in Wausau that he had built by hand with his wife, his father-in-law and brother-in-law in 1967 and where he had lived for almost 60 years. He was surrounded by family in his living room, exactly as he had desired. Ronnie had a years-long illness of COPD and congestive heart failure which he continued to fight with all his strength.

Ronnie was born December 11, 1938 in his parents’ home in rural Town of Stettin, Wisconsin. He was the fourth of eight siblings in his family. On February 24, 1961, he married the love of his life, Faye Janet Grebe. They met at Wausau High School when Faye was 14 and Ronnie was 16 and were married for almost 65 years. Faye cared for Ronnie during his long illness showing an amazing Christian example of love and devotion. Ronnie told all who would listen how much he loved Faye and how lucky he was to have her as his wife.

Ronnie worked for 39 years at Wausau Metals in various factory supervisory roles and made lifelong friends with many of his co-workers.

Ronnie loved to hunt and fish, especially on Clear Lake near Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where his in-laws Fred and Shirley Niemeyer owned a cottage and in Florida with his nephew Jerry Chancellor. Although he was no longer able to hunt due to his physical condition and the loss over the years of many of his beloved hunting partners, he fished all through his 80s, moving to a pontoon when he could no longer step down into a fishing boat. Ronnie also loved to play cards with his friends and family, especially cribbage, pinochle and sheepshead. Everyone wanted to be Ronnie’s card partner, not necessarily because he was a skilled player or unusually lucky—although he was—but because having him as a partner made the game more fun. Ronnie was a huge Packers and Cubs fan and also enjoyed retiring to bed early to read biographies and history.

Ronnie had a gift for making people laugh—he was always telling jokes, making good natured “smart aleck” remarks or pulling goofy faces. He continued this playful attitude until the end, making jokes with the nurses at the hospital. He started silly traditions, sneaking up behind family members on Easter to crack dyed eggs on their heads. He would strike up conversations with total strangers and leave them smiling. He also loved to tell stories and would entertain—and sometimes shock—his grandchildren with crazy tales of his rambunctious and rowdy youth with his four brothers while Faye would shake her head. Ronnie never took himself very seriously, but he was intensely serious about loving and protecting his family, often saying “If you don’t have family, you have nothing.” He loved to hear about the accomplishments and activities of his nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was so proud of all of them.

Ronnie was also blessed with a lifelong best friend, Hank Radtke, who predeceased Ronnie. Hank and Ronnie’s relationship was special and Ronnie was fond of saying that in all their lives, he and Hank never had an argument. Hank was like a fifth brother to Ronnie.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Helen Peters; his brothers Alfred “Fritz” Peters, Kenneth Peters, William Peters, and Gary Peters; his sisters Patricia Peters and Karen Peters; and many of his brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Ronnie is survived by and will be deeply missed, by his loving wife Faye; his daughters Peggy (Jay) Reich and Nancy (Travis) Henke; his son Troy (Amy) Peters; his grandchildren Ryan (Tina) Reich, Nathan (Michelle) Reich, John Reich, Jessica Henke, Zachary Henke, William Peters, Caroline Peters, Phoebe Peters; his great-grandchildren Wyatt Reich, Caston Reich and Charlotte Reich; his sister Kristine (Gus) Gollhardt; his sisters-in law Irene (Gary) Peters and Shirley (Fred) Niemeyer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ronnie’s family would like to thank dedicated Cubs fan Dr. Bart Isaacson and the staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital for all the wonderful care given to Ronnie in the past years of his fight with COPD and congestive heart failure. Ronnie deeply appreciated the personal care and compassion of these doctors, nurses and staff.

Service will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 12 p.m. at Wausau Bible Church, 1300 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI 54403, with the Reverend Chris Juvinall officiating. Visitation hours will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at Wausau Bible Church. All funeral arrangements are being handled by Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Please visit the Wausau Bible Church website for the livestream of the service. www.wausaubiblechurch.org then select resources.  From that menu select Livestream.