Karen B. Peterson

MOUNDVILLE TOWNSHIP – Karen B. Peterson, age 100, of Moundville Township, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Lily Meadows in Westfield.

Karen was born on September 28, 1925, in the Town of Pleasant Springs, Dane County, the daughter of Martin and Johanna (Gyland) Rustad.  She graduated from Stoughton High School in 1944 and attended Art School in Madison.  Karen married Sheldon Peterson, of Endeavor, at the West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, Stoughton, on April 26, 1947.  They farmed together on the Peterson Family farm near Endeavor until their retirement. In 2018, she went to live at the Remington House in Pardeeville, and later she moved to Lily Meadows in Westfield.

Karen enjoyed her life as a homemaker and farm wife always doing field work, gardening, and milking cows, while raising their family. Always busy, she loved cooking, canning, scrapbooking, sewing, carving, rosemaling, celebrating her Norwegian heritage, and working in her flower gardens. She was a member of the Moundville Methodist Church.

Survivors include her children and families: Dennis (Suellen) Peterson, Endeavor, Dean (Jennifer) Peterson, Endeavor, Susan (Rick) Sewell, Sun Prairie, Karel Peterson, Columbus, and Joanne (Cal) Dalton, Endeavor; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Sheldon in 2005; sister, Thelma (Stanley) Dahl; brothers, Marvin (Lois) Rustad, Olaf Rustad, Peder Rustad; and a grandson, Dustin Peterson.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Moundville Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jim Cotter officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.