Calvin Ewald Petersen, 94, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026. Born November 29, 1931, in Burnett County, Wisconsin, he was the fourth of eleven children born to Anton M. and Selma E. (Schmechel) Petersen. He attended Bluff Lake School. He joined the United States Navy in 1949 and served his country for 20 years in the Atlantic and Pacific waters, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., retiring with the rank of Chief Quartermaster. He returned to Burnett County in 1969 and continued his passion for farming near Webster on County Road FF.

Calvin was a significant influence on his many nieces and nephews: letting them work on his farm, lending a hand if they needed help, and offering advice. A voracious reader interested in a wide-ranging variety of topics, he stayed up to date on changes and improvements to farming practice, current events, and the activities of others in his life. Over the years, many local young men worked with him on his farm, and he was a source of expertise, advice, and mentoring. He enjoyed all aspects of raising cattle from calving and identification to feeding and care. His cattle were an intrinsic part of his life. Calvin enjoyed a good laugh, the many cats living on the farm, telling stories with friends, and life overall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Anton Jr., Denver, Venzel, Marvin, and Dewey, and his sister Mary Garcia. He is survived by his brothers Albert (Evelyn), Eau Claire, WI; Chlorn, Chippewa Falls, WI; Dorsey (Andrea), Ellsworth, WI; and Wilkie (Rita), Webster, WI; several nephews and nieces and many, many friends.

Per Calvin’s request, no services will be held. Cards of condolence may be sent to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (N4063 Veterans Way, Spooner, WI 54801). A burial will be held later at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI.

A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date

The world would be a better place to live if there were more people like Calvin.