Obituary for Peter A. "Pete" Elsen

Peter Augustus Elsen Jr., 84 of Bangor passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Lakeview Health Care Center in West Salem. He was born on May 10, 1941, to Peter H. Elsen, Sr., and Leona (Bushek) Elsen and raised on the family farm in Middle Ridge.

Peter attended St. Peter’s Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Bangor High School. He always told us they “walked to school uphill both ways.” Peter married Barbara Schroeder on June 30, 1962, and shared 63 years of marriage. They were blessed with four children and lived in Bangor for 60 plus years.

Peter farmed with his mom and dad in Middle Ridge, worked at Curran Feed Mill, and worked at the Cheese Factory in Middle Ridge. He worked at Trane Company for 39 years where he was sent to New Jersey to work on a big chiller at a casino. Peter also worked at the La Crosse Interstate Speedway in West Salem. He loved to go fishing and hunting with his family and friends. Peter loved dancing, playing cards, camping, gardening, and was an avid collector. Peter enjoyed traveling to Disney World, Canada, Branson, Arizona, Hawaii, and the Missouri River. He loved visits from his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family pets.

Peter served 50 years as a volunteer fire fighter on the Bangor-Burns Fire Department. He served 45 years as a member of the Lions Club, where he was honored as Lion of the Year. Peter was a member of the Rod and Gun Club and was an honorary member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Peter volunteered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and was a very dedicated and faithful Catholic church member.

Peter loved to wear hats and had many favorite sayings: “They can’t see it from I-90;" “Take your time going, but hurry back;” “I’m partly Norwegian, but I’m taking pills for that and I’m getting better;” “Snow - whoever put it there will take it away.”

Peter always enjoyed celebrating “for Pete’s sake day” on February 26.

Peter is survived by his wife, Barbara (Schroeder); his children, Annette (Dennis) Niedfeldt, Sandy (Roy) Loken, and Stacy (Jason) Miller; grandchildren, Eli (Maddy) Elsen, Carey (Ryan) Denzer, Nicole (Tyler) Shrake, Jaden Miller, and Cambrie Miller; great-grandchildren, Grayson, Huxley, Briggs, Haven, and Rinnley; brothers, Tom (Diane), Gus (Brenda), Doug (Diane), Sister, Clara Ann Elsen; and several nieces and nephews.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marty; siblings, Madonna (Duane Leis, Alfred Bahr), Mary Ann (Ray Sedevie), and Gary Elsen; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fredrich and Anna Mae Schroeder.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in West Salem. Msgr. Jeffrey D. Burrill will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bangor. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m., until the time of Mass at the church.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Fredrickson Funeral Home, Bangor Chapel, Hwy 162 and Hattan St., Bangor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.