J. Clemmons Peterson

Madison - The Rev. J. Clemmons Peterson, age 90, retired former senior pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Madison's west side died peacefully on December 31, 2010 surrounded by his loving wife and three children at Oakwood's Oaks after an extended illness.   He is survived by his wife of 64 years Doris who also resides at Oakwood Village, his children, Dr. Ronald (Kathy) Peterson, of Edina, Minnesota, David Peterson of Pasadena, California, and Karen Peterson of Mequon, Wisconsin, as well as five grandchildren, Amy Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Laura Peterson, Kari Terrill, and Kirstie Terrill.   Rev. Peterson was born to Esther and J. Clifford Peterson on July 9, 1920 in Osco, Illinois.   He grew up on a 300 acre farm with his older brother Kenneth and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois near his home from 1938-1942.   He attended the Augustana Theological Seminary in a war-shortened term from 1942-1945.   His first call was to the small northern Wisconsin town of Ogema, where he led the congregation there, as well as two neighboring Lutheran congregations in Prentice and Westboro.   It was in Ogema where he met his wife Doris who taught high school in Prentice.   After two children they accepted a call to Gary, Indiana where he started a new congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church, located just south of Lake Michigan and the US Steel Mills.   He moved to Madison's southwest side in 1956 to start another new Lutheran congregation which became Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.   The new congregation was organized in March of 1957 with 50 adults and held services in the basement of the parsonage.   The first building was erected in 1959 and the current nave in 1965.   He retired from the ministry in 1985 and has taken pride in the continued growth and ministry of the congregation as it has continued to expand even to a second site on Highway PD in Verona.   A visitation for Rev. Peterson will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave., Madison.   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 1 p.m. at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, Wis., 53711.   A visitation will be held prior to service beginning at 12 noon.   Memorials in Pastor Peterson's name may be gifted to Good Shepherd Foundation at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.