Date of death: 11/1/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1972
Eugene (Gene) Petersen Jr., 79, passed away on November 1, 2025 at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Illinois with his family by his side.
He was born March 12, 1946 in Bloomington, Illinois to Gene and Cathryn (Hemmele) Petersen. Gene was a 1964 graduate of Trinity High School and enjoyed lifelong friends from those years. After high school he was called to the priesthood and attended St. Bede Seminary and received his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He served as a priest in various parishes in the Peoria Diocese for seven years. It was then that he left his religious family to build a family of his own.
Gene is survived by his wife Karen, their son Matthew (Cassy) Petersen, former wife Beth, their daughters Emily (Joe) Butler and Rachel (Josh) Howe. He has five grandchildren; Henry and Eleanor Butler, Noah and Lena Howe, and Jett Petersen.
The oldest of seven children, Gene is also survived by his six siblings; Jim (Helen) Petersen, Steve (Anne) Petersen, Cathy Hundman, John (Toni) Petersen, Mike (Joan) Petersen, and Margie (Brian) Knutson and many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his many in-laws of the multi-generational Kahle family.
Gene was predeceased by his parents, his mother-in-law Pat Kahle, and brother-in-law Bill Hundman.
With the encouragement of a special uncle, Tom Petersen, Gene furthered his education in counseling at the Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago. Upon completion he worked for many years as a counselor at the Dwight Women’s Correctional Center and at the same time sustained a private practice in Normal, Illinois. The theme of his professional life was to help others navigate the complexities of life which he did with expertise and compassion.
Gene was a man of many interests and curiosity mostly centering on nature, continuous learning no matter the topic, and understanding the human experience. His children hold dear their memories of sharing those interests through meaningful travel experiences throughout their childhood. Gene was far and above most proud of his children and grandchildren always eager to share photos and stories of their milestones and accomplishments. He was grateful for their enduring and limitless love and support. He will be remembered for his mantra that “everybody has a story” and his ability to listen to those stories with genuine care and kindness.