Vadalis V. “Tootie” Petterson, age 97, of Wausau, died Monday, June 29, 2009 at Walnut Grove Assisted Living, Merrill. She was born April 8, 1912 in Wausau to the late Cleveland and Ida (Hoeft) Bessey. She married William Petterson on October 24, 1941 in Wausau. Vadalis had worked at the Wausau Shoe Factory for 37 years and then at UW Marathon County for 21 years. She enjoyed sewing, reading and yardwork. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (Davis) Kroening, Merrill; 2 grandchildren, Debra (Dan) Garber and Mark (Peggy) Kroening all of Merrill; 4 great-grandchildren, Gerald (Lori) Garber, Wausau, Brenda (Lonie) James, Merrill, Tanya Kroening, Merrill and Ashley (fiancée Mike) Kroening, Rothschild; 5 great great-grandchildren, Cole Garber and Liberty Garber both of Wausau, Lacey James, Daleth Jacobsen, Joshua Otto all of Merrill; niece, Yvonne (Robert) Vanselow, Milwaukee; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bessey. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Whitey” Petterson; parents, Cleveland and Ida Bessey; 3 brothers, Donald, Rupert and Gordon Bessey; sister, Irene Heinig; and great-grandson, Todd Kroening. Memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday July 5, 2009 at the Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. Wausau. Rev. Philip Schneider will officiate. Burial will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. On-line condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.