Harold “Pete” John Peterson, age 92 of Dodgeville, WI., passed away April 21, 2026, while a resident at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Pete was born Dec. 18, 1933, in Cadott, Wisconsin, to Lawrence and Isabelle (Fritsch) Peterson. He married Verlene Martha Roder in 1954. Together they raised 5 children.
In Pete’s early years, he was a successful auctioneer. For the majority of his life, however, Pete’s career centered around the cheese manufacturing industry. His entry into cheese making was in 1952 when he began making cheese at Bob and George Hamm’s Hillside Dairy at Cadott, WI. While there he worked up into the head cheese maker position. Pete’s cheese making knowledge along with his innovative thinking with new equipment designs landed him a sales job with Kusel Dairy Equipment Company in 1965. This relocated him to Dodgeville, WI. While at Kusel, Pete was able to secure some patents on various pieces of cheese making equipment.
In 1977, Pete, along with his son and son-in-law, purchased the NFO Cheese Plant in Arena, WI. Farmers Pride Cheese became known for the development of Co-Jack cheese. Also developed by Farmers Pride was the centrifiner and wedge wire fines saver equipment as well as various cheese pressing systems. In 1980 and 1981, two more cheese factories were purchased by the Farmers Pride group adding Preston Cheese at Preston, WI. and Wisconsin Pride Cheese at Soldiers Grove, WI. These three plants, at their high point, were processing nearly 800,000 lbs. of milk into specialty Longhorn Style cheeses a day.
Pete is survived by his wife, Verlene Peterson; children: Julie (Joe) Burke, Douglas (Sandy) Peterson, Janene (Dan) Marklein, Mark (Sara) Peterson and Rhonda (Steve) Marten; grandchildren: Jared (Desiree) Burke, Jennifer Franks, Jeremy (Megan) Burke, Joshua (Misty) Bindl, Sara (Thad) Johnson, Nicolas (Courtney) Peterson, Benjamin Peterson, Melanie Marklein, Jessie (Tracey) Dunn, Kari (Dan) Lawver, Kory (Katie) Peterson, Kelsey (Evan) Havlik, Kelli (Jared) Standorf, Eiroll Polinag, Clair (Daniel Ramos) Polinag, SaraMae Polinag, Duncan Marten, Grace (Sydney) Buckingham; 34 great grandchildren plus one due in May and many nieces, nephews, and other family.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Isabelle Peterson; grandchild, Jason Burke; sisters: Florence (Ed) Ryan, Irene (Don) Mousel, Geraldine (Edsel) Evjen, Eleanor (Ellis) Evjen, and Loraine (Dennis) Newhorter; brothers: Duane Peterson, Richard Peterson, Bernard (Mary Joy) Peterson; fatherand mother-in law, Sam and Martha Roder; brother-in-law, Irvin (Anita) Roder; and sister-in-law, Geraldine “Shorty” (Robert Boyea and Clarence) Seichter.
Per Pete’s wishes, a private family service will be held, and he will be interred at Eastside Cemetery in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The Lulloff- Peterson-Houck Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com.
Special thanks to the staff at Sienna Crest Assisted Living and the nurses of Agrace for the assistance with Pete’s painless and peaceful transition into his next journey.
In lieu of cards and/or flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home Dodgeville 608-935-3628 www.houckfuneralhomes.com