Kent Richard Peitersen, age 84, passed away peacefully early on Saturday, June 8, 2024, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. He is now reunited with his beloved parents. Kent was born on September 18, 1939, to Christian (Ket) and Adeline (Dickert) Peitersen, Manitowoc. Kent was a gentle, kind, and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who loved his family intensely and always beamed with pride when attending the activities of his children and grandchildren. Being the fierce competitor himself, Kent was their number one supporter.
Kent was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School, class of 1957. As a child he enjoyed participating in the usual sports of football and basketball, but his true love was for the game of golf. He was introduced to the game when his father gave him his first set of clubs as a young boy and this was just the beginning of a series of lifelong achievements. Kent won the Manitowoc County Open at age 16 in 1956, an event that he won 6 times. After high school he went to the University of Houston on a golf scholarship and then turned professional in 1965. Kent qualified for the U.S. National Open in 1968 and became head pro at Bristol Oaks Country Club in Kenosha County. He attended PGA school in Texas with former classmate and iconic golf pro Jack Nicklaus. His highlights included playing in the Greater Milwaukee Open and competing against players such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player and playing in the National Pro Championship in California. Kent was a six-time Meadow Links Club champion, Branch River Country Club champion, three-time Fox Hills League champion and two-time Waupaca Open champion. He was a natural teacher of the game of golf that many people had the fortunate opportunity to learn from. In recognition for his achievements, dedication, and passion for the game of golf, Kent was inducted into the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Kent met the love of his life, Mary Ann Bocher, while attending Manitowoc County Teachers College. They married on April 2, 1966. Together they built a beautiful family together with their two sons, Wade and Brett.
Kent enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a medic in 1964. He was honorably discharged in December 1969.
The couple loved to travel, making annual trips to Florida, three wonderful trips to South Africa and many other trips across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. While in California, Kent played the famed golf course Pebble Beach.
Kent had a passion for music. You would often find him humming a tune or singing a familiar song by Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. Excelling at the piano as a young fellow he had the opportunity to play and sing on WOMT radio.
Kent worked as an Allstate Insurance agent for 27 years. After retiring in 2000 he continued to provide golf lessons and worked for several years with Assist to Transport in Manitowoc.
Kent is deeply loved and will be sadly missed by his wife, Mary Ann of 58 years, his children: Wade (Sheri) of Neenah, Brett (Shannon) of Manitowoc; his grandchildren: Trey (Mallory), Kendal, Morgan, Kaden, Mason; great-grandchild, Alayna; and brother in-law Jeff (Nancy) Bocher of Colgate, WI.
A visitation and memorial service for Kent will take place at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Visitation will be from Noon until 2:00 pm with the service to follow.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Sylvan Crossings and the Aurora Hospice staff and caregivers at Shady Lane Nursing Home for their care of Kent over the past weeks.
In lieu of flowers, the family instead wishes you share special memories of Kent.
“I’ll be seeing you in every lovely summer’s day, in everything that’s light and gay, I’ll always think of you that way.”
