George Petersohn

George Petersohn, 84, of Frederick, died Monday, October 4, 2008.

He was born John George Petersohn on 29 July 1924 in Newton, Wisconsin.

His mother, Barbara Petersohn, and father, Henry Petersohn had immigrated to the United States, in 1919.

He spent his childhood on the family farm and attended Primary and Elementary school near his childhood home in Newton. After graduating from 8th grade, he went to work full time at the family farm and as an auto mechanic until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, Darby's Rangers, 5th Battalion in March, 1943, and was a real American hero, and he became part of those whom Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation, and of whom we will never see the likes of again.

He was shipped to the European Theater of Operations and was part of the European invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944, and landed ashore on D-Day at Juno Beach at Point Du Ho, France. He was wounded at Nancy, France in 1945, and spent the rest of the war as a truck driver supplying gas and logistical goods to the troops of General George S. Patton, and was part of the relief column that relieved the 101st Airborne at the well-known Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne, Belgium. He also served as a translator for German POWs near Nancy, France. PFC Petersohn also saw action in the Ardennes Forest, Normandy France, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

The U.S. Army awarded him the Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, The United States Victory Medal, The European-African-Middle-Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Silver Battle Star, 3 Overseas Service Bars, and The U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal. He was mustered out of the service on 6 November 1945, and returned home to Newton, Wisconsin, where he married his wife and raised 4 children, Leland, Kathleen, Debbie and David, who gave him eleven grandchildren, all currently living in Wisconsin.

After the war, George became a truck driver for North American Van Lines and remained with them until his divorce, at which time he moved to Miles City, Montana, and subsequently to Yuma, Arizona, where he remained until 1974. He married Emma Jenny Ohlson on April 15, 1972, and remained in Yuma until moving back to Montana in 1974.

After a series of moves between Yuma, Arizona and Montana, George and Emma moved to Frederick, Maryland to be near his step-daughter, Ann (Charles) McCandless of Jefferson, Maryland and grand-daughter Kelly (Kevin) Shaughnessy, and four great-granddaughters Mary Kate Shaughnessy, Katherine Mary Shaughnessy, Emma Patricia Shaughnessy, and Maggie Ann Shaughnessy. He is also survived by a granddaughter Amanda Ohlson, currently living in Lake Mary, Florida, who is the daughter of George's step son John (Andrea) Ohlson, also of Lake Mary, Florida.

George Petersohn was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Henry, Alex Leonard, Andrew, Emil, and his sister Marie. He is also survived by his brother Louis, and sisters Betty and Frieda, and numerous nieces and nephews.

George and Emma were active members of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Feagaville, Maryland, and past active members of the Faith Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana. George was also an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans of Frederick, Maryland, Miles City, Montana, and Yuma, Arizona. George will be greatly loved and missed by all his family and friends. We are so proud of all you have given to us and your country.

Rest in peace Grandpa.

Visitation: The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 until 9 PM at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1100 North Maple Avenue, Brunswick, MD 21716.

Services: Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 10, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Ken Gill, Jr. officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Lukes Evangelical Lutheran Church, Feagaville, 5463 Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD, 21703.