Racine – Yvonne (nee: Rhodes) Petersen, age 85, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

Yvonne was born in Racine on September 5, 1931 to the late Tracy and Loraine (nee: Christman) Rhodes. She was a 1949 graduate of Washington Park High School and went on to earn an elementary education degree from Dominican College. On February 7, 1959 she was united in marriage with Arthur J. Petersen, who preceded her in death on September 1, 1994. A dedicated volunteer, Yvonne was also a faithful member of St. Lucy Catholic Church and Altar Society.

Surviving are her children, Dirk (Jane) Petersen, Beth (Glenn) Zetek and Julie (Frank) LaBoda; son-in-law, Richard Sowlles; grandchildren, Tom Sowlles, Holly (Steve Svec) Sowlles and Mark Sowlles; Benjamin and Christopher Petersen; Neal, Andrew and Adam Zetek; Sydney, Molly, Grace and Lane LaBoda; great-granddaughter, Chloe; sisters, Jeanne Buending, Janis (Joseph) Filippone and Margaret Rowley; brother, Donald (Janie) Rhodes; sister-in-law, Jane Peterson; nieces, nephews, club members, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Yvonne was preceded in death by her beloved daughters, Tammy Petersen (1961) and Amy Sowlles (killed by a drunk driver in 1991); brothers, Gerald (Sarah "Ickey") Rhodes and Lewis (Mary Alyce) Rhodes; brothers-in-law, William Buending, Robert Rowley and Robert Peterson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 5:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Avenue) with Rev. Javier Guativa and Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. A memorial dinner will follow. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Private entombment will take place in the mausoleum of Holy Cross Cemetery – Hwy 32. Memorial may be made to M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) or to St. Lucy Catholic Church.

Service Details

Mass: Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 5:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue

Visitation: Thursday in the church from 3:00 – 5:00 pm