Thomas Peter

Thomas Peter, 86, of Rhinelander passed away February 27, 2026 at Riverview Health in Tomahawk. He was born on January 6, 1949 in Rhinelander, the son of Frank and Signey (Eide) Peter. He attended schools in Rhinelander graduating from Rhinelander High School in 1958 and marrying his high school sweetheart, Mary Hurlbutt on September 2, 1961. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying public administration. He worked for the State of Wisconsin as a data processing supervisor. He returned to Rhinelander in 1973 to run Jeans Lunch. He went on to lead the Oneida County IT department and serve as a city alderman. After retirement he operated a sawmill and cooked at the Loft for any friends and family who stopped by to visit. He loved the woods, hunting, fishing, cooking, his dogs and his grandkids.

Tom is survived by his wife Mary, his brother Raymond Peter, his sons Stephen (Brenda) Peter and David (Laura) Peter, and his daughter Mary Beth (Kenneth) Vanzo, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brian (Malorie) Peter, Fiona and Dorothy Peter; Jessica (Martin) Melaquides, Connor and Cody Muerrer, Johanna and Roman Melaquides; Sarah Peter and Alaina Peter; Isabella Peter; Eric Peter; Samuel Vanzo; Rebekah (Andrew) Vanzo-Thomas; Alexander Vanzo; Ryan Gilman; Rashelle Gilman; Keaton Gilman, Shiloh, Sofia, Kingsley, Sage, and Otto Gilman and dozens of brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Beulah Warekois and Audrey Ek and his brothers Douglas, Donald, David and Bernard Peter.

A celebration of life for Tom will be held at a later date. You may leave your private condolences for the Peter family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving the Peter family.