Petersens selected as Citizens of the Year

(Article reproduced from the February 12, 2009 issue of The Denmark News - written by Steve Arveson)

  If you have ever been on the local snowmobile trails or have ever been served by Viking Community Rescue Squad, you may know of Gordon and Beatrice Petersen.

  The couple has volunteered extensively over the last five decades and now they will receive some much deserved recognition.

  The Petersens have been selected as Citizens of the Year by the Denmark Community Business Association (DCBA) which made the selection during its meeting last week.

  The Petersens' nomination came in from village of Denmark resident Annette LaCourt, whose husband, Roger, has been a long-time acquaintance of the Petersens through his work with the Denmark Norsemen Snowmobile Club.

  "I have known Gordy and Beatrice for a long time and the thing which I remember the most is, no matter what event I went to, they were always there taking part in helping," LaCourt stated in her nomination papers.  "This summber we went to their 56-year anniversary and still they were talking about the quilt Beatrice had made for the Syble Hopp Raffle."

  The list of the Petersens' volunteering is extensive.

  Beatrice worked for the American Legion for 46 years, helped start the Viking Rescue Squad in 1975 and was a radio communication operator for most of those years.  She attended AI McDermott class for 61 years, she helped with the Denmark Lions Weekend every year, made quilts for Syble Hopp and Hospice raffles, helped out with the Denmark Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered at snowmobile club events and ran the Denmark Rod and Gun Club for several years -- among other volunteering.

  For Gordon, he served in the army for two and a half years; he worked for the snowmobile club for decades and still does.  He has served on the fire department for 38 years and also helped start Viking along with his wife.  Gordon has been a member of the Denmark Lions Club for 15 years.

  "You always saw him there helping at every event," LaCourt stated.

  Gordon helped the Boy Scouts pick up cans after Lions' events and would pick up lawnmowers and snow blowers from the senior citizens fix them and return them.

  He attended AI McDermott School for 61 years and enjoyed working at the ball park for the American Legion games four nights a week and watching kids play ball.

  He also works for the Denmark Rod and Gun Club and has been in the American Legion for 50 years.

  The DCBA will honor the Petersens with a banquet on March 29 at Lorrie's Cafe on DePere Road.  Watch upcoming issues of The Denmark News for ticket information as well as a feature story on the Petersens, their lives and the people they have helped.