Obituaries

Helen Alean Peterson (Fisher), age 86, a long-time resident of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on October 23rd, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital due to complications resulting from a fall in her home.

Helen was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 26, 1937, to Blanche (Reising) Fisher and Clifford Fisher. Helen was the sixth of eight siblings, growing up in Terre Haute, and graduating from Wiley High School in 1955. After graduation, she went on to work for Prudential Insurance in policy administration before moving to Madison, Wisconsin to work as a Ticket Agent for North Central Airlines (now Delta) at the Dane County Airport.

Helen married Terrence Peterson (Terry) at Bashford United Methodist Church in Madison, WI on June 10th, 1967. Helen and Terry went on to have two sons, Jeffrey in 1968 and Brian in 1971. Helen stopped working for the airline at that time to raise her children. She went back to work in 1982 as an Executive Assistant at the Department of Justice for the State of Wisconsin.

In 1993, Helen retired from the DOJ due to a progressive visual impairment. She enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with her family and friends, as well as taking care of her home and the family’s pets.

Christianity and participating in her church were a big part of Helen’s life. She belonged to Bashford United Methodist Church for nearly 60 years, until it closed in May of this year. Helen participated in a number of social groups as well, including the Red Hat Society of Madison.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Blanche, her brothers Charles, Robert (Gene), Orville, and Orren, and her sister Evelyn Lambert (Chuck). She is survived by her husband Terry, sons Jeff and Brian, brother Alan, sister Marlene Harris, along with numerous nieces and nephews and her grandsons Trevor and Gavin.

Services will be held at Ryan Funeral Home on Thursday, November 2nd, beginning with a visitation from 9:00am - 11:00am and a funeral service at 11:00am. A light luncheon will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the International Bipolar Foundation at https://ibpf.org/

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave.

608-249-8257