Thomas R. Petrie

Thomas R. Petrie, 72, of Watertown, passed away at Rainbow Hospice on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Thomas Robert Petrie was born on March 4, 1953, to Rev. Jackson and Pauline (nee Schmidt) Petrie at Lutheran Hospital, Beaver Dam, WI, and baptized by his father at Zion Lutheran Church, Kingston, WI, on March 29, 1953. He attended St. Peter's Lutheran School, Fond du Lac, WI, through fourth grade, then Faith Lutheran, Fond du Lac, for the remainder of his elementary years. Tom was confirmed by Rev. Martin Janke at Faith on May 28, 1967. His Confirmation verse was Acts 16:31: "And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."'

Tom graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, in 1971, and graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy in 1975. On September 9, 1978, he was united in marriage with Mary Connor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Watertown.

Tom farmed with his uncle for a number of years until he became the mill manager at River Valley Co-op. With the merge to United Cooperative in 1998, he switched to the Johnson Creek Agronomy location, spending about 22 years with the company.

Tom loved music and was a former member of the Watertown Municipal Band, serving as President and trustee, a member of Watertown Musicians Local 469 until it disbanded, be played with the Lebanon Band for a time, and on occasion, the Oconomowoc American Legion Band. He was also an avid reader. He was actively involved at St. Mark's, having held various positions - School Board President, PTA President, Church Council treasurer and President, and he enjoyed singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School. He was also an American Red Cross Blood Bank volunteer. Tom helped establish the Pitterle-Beaudoin Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) Squadron in Watertown and served as its first Commander, currently serving as Adjutant and membership chairman. He was also currently the 2nd District and Detachment of Wisconsin finance chairman.

In earlier years, Tom enjoyed bowling and cheering his children on in sports and attending their concerts and events. On April 17, 1982, Tom and Mary were among the 6,179 musicians participating in the World's Largest Orchestra at Bayshore Mall in Milwaukee. Under the direction of Paul Polivnick, conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble made the Guinness World Record Book by performing John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Tom is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Matthew (Mindi Strobel) Petrie; daughter, Rebecca (Mark) Hoffman; mother, Pauline Petrie; two brothers, John (Kathy) Petrie and Brian (Sue) Petrie; three nieces, Dr. Angela Petrie (Tom) Kondziella, Laura Petrie, and Lisa (John) Gregorius and their children, Grant and Madison; nephew, Tim Petrie, and six godchildren, as well as other relatives and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his father.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff of the Watertown Regional Medical Center ICU and Rainbow Hospice, all who treated Tom as family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, February 2, 2026, at St. Mark’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Watertown with Rev. Peter Wells Presiding. Visitation will be held at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home on Sunday, February 1, from 4:00- 7:00 PM, and also at the church on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of service. All are welcome to wear Badger apparel or American Legion Family branding to celebrate Tom's love of both.

Memorials can be made in Tom's name to the St. Mark's School Scholarship Fund or Winnebago Lutheran Academy (WLA) for the library and gym.