Joel Karnick
Jenna May Peterson
age 39, of Park Falls, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at her home due to an undiagnosed heart condition on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
The essence of Jenna is love. The impact she left on so many people wouldn’t fit in a million paragraphs, let alone a few.
Jenna was born on May 7, 1984, in Park Falls, the daughter of Amy and Jerry Peterson. She graduated from Park Falls High School in 2002. She went on to pursue a degree in Nursing from Cardinal-Stritch University and continued to devote her time and talents to caring for others.
The most rewarding part of her career path was her recent role as peer support specialist at Northlake Community Clinic in Ashland WI, where her empathy and heartfelt sincerity helped people with their mental health and addiction. Her passion was ensuring everyone loved themselves and loved life.
Her son Mason was her whole world. If there was one thing in life she was most proud of, it was being his mom. They shared an incredible bond. She loved watching and cheering him on as he played hockey, enjoyed the time listening and watching music together, and cherished just simply being able to talk to each other about anything.
Truly, Jenna treasured the simple things in life, and the smallest moments brought her happiness. She often chose to be surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature she experienced while hiking and backpacking. Jenna was a life-long lover of music; she listened and sang along to her favorite songs and was quick to share one that moved her. These tender experiences touched her deeply. She was proud to be her dad’s biggest fan.
Those who knew Jenna recognized she had the most genuine heart which made her a true caregiver to humans and animals alike. Jenna loved all animals, and she doted on those she brought into her home through fostering or adopting. She was known to proudly share pictures and videos of her fur babies with friends and family.
Jenna is survived by her son Mason Freiberger, her beloved pets, her parents Amy and Jerry Peterson, her sister Mindi (Tony) O’Meara, her nephew Gavin O’Meara, her niece Nora O’Meara, and many family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Walter and Virginia (Larsen) Weiberg, and her paternal grandparents, Willard and Dolly (Hilgart) Peterson.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, at the Butternut Community Park with visitation from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. with Deacon Robert Schienebeck officiating. In lieu of plants or flowers, please make donations in Jenna’s memory to Catkins Animal Rescue or your local animal shelter/rescue organization. Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family.
To say she will be missed is an understatement. Jenna, we will carry you in our hearts until we meet again. We will find you in the sounds of waves on water, wind in the trees and even the rocks you would have picked. Love is never lost.
