Della Mae Peterson, 79, passed away on Thursday, April 14th, 2022, at Gundersen Lutheran Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Della was born the second of five children to Harvard and Elvora Protz on September 11th, 1942 in Tomah, Wisconsin. She graduated from Tomah High School in 1960, and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she worked at American Motors. Della was united in marriage to Larry Morgan at St. Paul Ev. Church , Tomah, Wisconsin in 1962. They lived in Detroit, Michigan where their 2 children were born then returned to Tomah in 1969. Larry preceded Della in death in 1976.
In 1980 Della began working as a Reserve Pay Specialist at Fort McCoy until her retirement. On April 16th, 1988, Della married Otto Beauford Peterson the 2nd, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Tomah. Della was a strong and courageous woman and was devoted to her family. As a kid she loved ice skating, swimming, dancing, and going to the soda shop. She shared many good times with her parents, sisters and cousins at Spring Bank, American Legion picnics, parades, and Tomah Fair activities. Della loved being a mother and enjoyed attending her son’s sports activities and her daughter’s rodeos. She and her husband Otto were expert country and western dancers and enjoyed chipping horseshoes, playing pool, and bowling together. Della was a fan of Elvis Presley and the Green Bay Packers.
Della was very creative and liked sewing, quilting, crafting, and working on floral arrangements with her niece Tammy. Most recently she enjoyed painting, coloring, and putting together puzzles and framing them. You could see her creations throughout her home as she loved decorating for every season. Della was an expert shopper and would attend Cranfest, craft shows, and out of town events with her friends and family. Della loved celebrating holidays and milestones with her family. She especially loved Christmas.
Della was often described as carrying an immense amount of love in her heart, Della would’ve done anything to see a smile on her loved ones faces. Della will be remembered for all the love she had to give and her pure, and extremely kind heart. Della will be deeply missed by all that had the honor of knowing her.
Della is survived by her husband Otto, her son Scott (Jan) Morgan of Tomah Wisconsin, daughter Christine (Paul) Gantt of Woodville Wisconsin, her stepchildren Michelle (Rick) Beaudrot of West Columbia, North Carolina, Catherine Davies of Columbia, South Carolina, Marilyn Montgomery of Irmo, South Carolina and Otto Beauford Peterson the 3rd of Madison Wisconsin. Her grandchildren Danielle , Angela, Bryan, Kaylyn, John, Kaylee and Johnsie. Great Grandchildren Layla, Orion, Quinn, and Bryson. Della is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Della is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry Morgan, her sisters Jane Lincoln and Carol Protz, and her niece Lori Hensley.
A Celebration of Life be held on Saturday, May 21, 1:00 PM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah, WI. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the time of the services.
Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
