Violet Petersen

Service Details

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  

An additional visitation will be held the next day, Saturday, June 6, 2026 at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, Racine from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  

Private burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorial Suggestions

The family kindly requests monetary donations made out to the family, so they can donate the generous gifts to JI Case Faculty/Staff Scholarship Fund as a lump sum in her honor. 

 

Violet Julia Petersen, born Korona, of Racine, Wisconsin, passed away at the age of 103 after a life marked by quiet strength, adventurous spirit with deep faith and family love. Born on April 4, 1923, in Amsterdam, New York, to Frank Korona Sr. and Julia (Dziewit) Korona, Violet lived one of the most remarkable lives imaginable — a story that spanned decades, coasts, and countless cherished memories.

At just 12 years old during the great depression, Violet’s parents sent her alone on a Greyhound bus bound for Los Angeles, CA to live with her Godparents — a journey that took four days. When she arrived at the bus station, neither of them was there to meet her, and with characteristic grit and grace, she caught a ride with a stranger to reach her Godparents, Al and Jul Clement. Those years in California proved magical: she swam with Alfalfa from the Little Rascals and roller skated with Mickey Rooney.

Violet graduated from Oxnard (CA) high school at age 16 and received her Associates Degree from Oxnard Community College. She was enrolled to attend UCLA when WWII began. An Oxnard friend invited her to escort the Notre Dame Football team to an event while they were in Los Angeles to play against University of Southern California. She often said it was a very fancy event.

During World War II, Violet age 20, volunteered at the Hollywood Canteen founded by actors Bette Davis and John Garfield. The Hollywood Canteen was a club offering free food, dancing, and entertainment for enlisted men and women, who were usually on their way overseas. Many of the entertainers who performed are now considered legends including: Lena Horne and all of the bands of the “Big Bands” era. She even kept her Hollywood Canteen ID card in her wallet until the very end — a quiet testament to a chapter of her life that was anything but quiet.

It was at the Hollywood Canteen that she noticed a handsome gentleman with dark hair and piercing blue eyes sitting on the stage. That Navy man was Ralph Petersen of Racine, WI who became the love of her life. They were married September 29, 1946 in Los Angeles and remained until Ralph’s passing in 1982. Ralph was not much of a dancer when they met, but Violet taught him well enough that they even joined a local Racine dance club called the “Tanglefooters.”

Violet’s professional career began in California working as an Executive Secretary at national companies: Rexall Drugs and Douglas Aircraft. After moving to Racine, Violet continued to work for major companies namely Young Radiator and Haban Manufacturing. She very much held close to her heart her lifelong friends of 72 years, Mary Demet and Henrietta Christensen of Racine, WI who she met while working at Young Radiator — friendships that were a true measure of the loyal and loving person she was.

Most notably, Violet was one of the first staff members when Case High School opened in Racine in 1968, and she devoted 37 years of her life to the school, retiring in 2002 at the age of 79 as the Secretary in the Green School office. She always said that working among young people kept her young herself — and those who knew her would agree. She is remembered for her professional attire including the high heels that she wore every day.

Outside of work, Violet was a loyal fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers,  Green Bay Packers, bridge enthusiast and a proud golfer — one of the founding members of the Ives Grove Women’s Golf League. She savored life’s simple pleasures: an occasional Brandy Old Fashion Sweet, a glass of Merlot with dinner, and above all, time with her family. Her family celebrations were legendary, graced with homemade lasagna, corned beef and cabbage, handmade Polish gołąbki, and requested birthday desserts including grasshopper pie, red velvet cake, banana split cake, and strawberry rhubarb pie. Whether it was the laughter of Christmas Eve, the warmth of Thanksgiving, or simply honoring another year in someone’s life, Violet made sure no occasion passed without gathering her family close. Those celebrations were her greatest gift to us all, and the memories made within her walls will be cherished for a lifetime.

At the heart of Violet’s life was her deep and unwavering Catholic faith. A devoted woman of God, she was steadfast in attending Mass each and every week — a practice she maintained no matter where life took her, even finding a local church to attend while traveling. As the years passed and her mobility made it more difficult to attend in person, she never let that diminish her devotion. She would tune in to Mass on television from Milwaukee each and every week. Her faith remained as constant and unshakeable in her final years as it had been throughout her entire life. Her relationship with God was not simply a Sunday obligation — it was the quiet, steady foundation upon which everything else was built.

Violet is survived by her son, Bill Petersen; her daughter, Joan (Albert) Volmut; and her son, Bob (Sonia Sikorski) Petersen, all of Racine. She is also lovingly survived by her grandchildren: Allison Olsen and Peter (Rhiannon Mendez) Volmut, children of Joan; and Ryan (Kayla Hoff) Petersen and Rachel Petersen (Bryon Shingledecker), children of Bob (Sheryl Petersen). Her joy extended to six great-grandchildren: Brendan, Jordan, and Paige Olsen, and Sloane, Taryn, and Quinn Volmut.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph William Petersen; parents, Frank Korona Sr. and Julia (Dziewit) Korona; her parents-in-law, Peter Neils Petersen and Thora (Rasmussen) Petersen; Godparents Al and Julia Clement; her three younger siblings and sister-in-laws: Frank Korona, Jr.; Alfred (Helen) Korona; Chester (Theresa) Korona;  and niece Janet Korona-Greco.

Violet was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the love she generously gave. From a solo bus ride at 12 to a life rich with family and joy, she showed all who knew her what it truly means to live fully. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with those who went before her.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt and deepest gratitude to the many dedicated individuals who walked alongside Violet with such compassion and dignity in her final chapter. A special thank you to the caregivers at Hospice House, Dr. Fay and the Garden Level and ICU staff at Aurora Medical Center, and the entire team at Ascension Cancer Center. Your kindness, skill, and humanity meant more to this family than words can express.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  An additional visitation will be held the next day, Saturday, June 6, 2026 at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, Racine from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Private burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests monetary donations made out to the family, so they can donate the generous gifts to JI Case Faculty/Staff Scholarship Fund as a lump sum in her honor.