The funeral for Otto “Butts” Peterson, planned Friday, March 20, 2020, is canceled until further notice. In consideration of public health events as of late, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI-DHS) advises mass gatherings be canceled, especially for populations most at risk. Information regarding WI-DHS safety guidance regarding large community events and mass gatherings can be found at, https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm .
The decision to cancel the funeral was not made lightly however Otto’s last wish would be to keep the safety of the people he cared for a priority. Details will be made available when a new date has been established. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home at 903 E. Third St. Merrill, WI 54452 is still managing funeral services and able to accept cards by mail; online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com .
Otto Ellis ‘Butts’ Peterson, 84, passed away the evening of March 14, 2020 in Wausau, WI. He was the youngest of Elizabeth and Otto Senior’s ten children and born in a small Swedish community- Irma, WI. He joins his beloved wife Alice, to whom he was married 56 years, and his great granddaughter Taylor. He is survived by his two daughters and a son, Diane Osness-Merrill, WI, Roxane (Lyle) Eggersgluess-Merrill, WI, and Jeff Peterson- Dallas, GA. He will be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren: Aaron (Ginger) Osness, Ransey (Kaitlin) Osness, Loni Osness (Stephen Francour), Michelle Osness, Sabrina Eggersgluess, Kurt Eggersgluess, Jessica Peterson, and his two great grandchildren, Izzy and Leo. He is further survived by his brother Dale (Dolly) Peterson-Merrill, WI.
Otto celebrated his life with many friends, traveling abroad with his wife, and maintaining his shack on wooded acreage. He never failed to make a person smile, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an engaging conversationalist. Otto was hard working, growing up on a farm, and loyal employee, working at Acme Tree Surgery, the Merrill Courthouse, and the Brokaw Paper Mill, as a union member with over 30 years of service. He was also an involved community member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, Otto requested donations be made to the church in his memory. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com