Jeanette (Peterson) Wusterbarth

Jeanette (Peterson) Wusterbarth, 85, Marion, IN and Oconto Falls native, peacefully passed Wednesday afternoon, September 29, 2021 with her family by her side.  Jeanette, the only girl born to Alfred and Esther (Coisman) Peterson, was born June 23, 1936 in Oconto Falls, WI.  Jeanette grew up in Oconto Falls where she graduated from Oconto Falls High School.

On September 8, 1956 she married the love of her life John Wusterbarth and they had four children.  Through John’s military service the couple moved frequently living in such places as Washington DC, Milwaukee, WI, Ionia, MI, and finally in Marion, IN where they settled down to raise their family.

Jeanette’s passions revolved around an intense love for her husband, family, and friends.  She enjoyed traveling, entertaining, shopping, and dancing.  She had a humor that would captivate the room and a gift to make every moment special.

After years of battling with a hereditary kidney disease, in 2000 Jeanette received a kidney that saved her life from her niece and angel Laurie (Peterson) Maloney.  The transplant team predicted that she would get ten good years, but miraculously she received twenty-one great ones!

Jeanette is survived by her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 65 years, John Wusterbarth, Marion, IN; their four children, Debbie (Michael) Morrison, Crown Point, IN; Renee (Bud) McCullar, Marion, IN; Steven (Cathy) Wusterbarth, Oscoda, MI; Stefanie (Derek) Brown, Van Buren, IN; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two brothers, Donald “Toby” (Shirley) Peterson, Vic (Bonnie) Peterson, one sister-in-law, Joan Peterson, all of Oconto Falls; numerous nieces, nephews and great friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Esther Peterson and two brothers, Ronald “Swede” Peterson and infant Ovie Gene.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 pm Monday, October 4, 2021 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls.  Visitation will continue after 9:30 am Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls until the time of service.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Fr. Bob Karuhn officiating.  Cremation will follow with burial in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Oconto Falls.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of WI, 10909 W. Greenfield Ave. Ste. 201, West Allis, WI  53214-2379 in Jeanette’s name.