Phyllis Joy Petersen

Phyllis Joy Petersen, age 77, of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully in the presence of her husband on Monday, July 6, 2026. She was born to Stanley and Bernice (Brasseur) Szocinski on July 23, 1948 in Cheyboygan, Michigan.

Phyllis graduated from Saint John High School in 1966. She went on to earn a Bachelors degree in history from Aquinas College in 1970. She married the love of her life, Michael John Petersen in 1969 at Saint John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson, Michigan in a candle light service. Phyllis taught early elementary at Sister Lakes Elementary School for twenty-eight years. She was very involved in church activities and became a Dominican Associate. Phyllis and Mike loved to sing in church and community choirs. She loved to travel. After traveling with family throughout the United States, she and Mike then explored Europe many times. She also volunteered at the Dowagiac Area History Museum and was active in the Saint Paul’s Food Pantry. Phyllis loved her family and took great pride in her grandchildren.

Phyllis will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Michael John Petersen of Dowagiac; two sons, Joseph (Julie) Petersen of Quincy, Ohio, Jeffrey (Heidi) Petersen of Kentwood, Michigan; four grandchildren, Scott Petersen, Noel Petersen, Henry Petersen, Brooklynn Petersen; two sisters, Rosanne Szocinski OP of Grand Rapids, Mary Jane (Mitchel) Martz of Parma, Michigan; one brother, Stanley (JoAnne) Szocinski of Auburndale, Florida and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

 
Family and friends will gather Saturday, July 11, 2026 one hour prior to her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in St. Ann Catholic Church 421 North Broadway, Cassopolis, Michigan. Phyllis will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

The family prefers contributions be made in memory of Phyllis, to Grand Rapids Dominicans, 111 Lakeside Drive North East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 or Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road South, East Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506 or Dowagiac Union Schools Foundation, 243 South Front Street Dowagiac, Michigan 49047 or Dowagiac Area History Museum, 201 East Division Dowagiac, Michigan 49047.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

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