Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Our son, Joseph Daniel Petermann was 21 years old. He was born September 4, 1984 and passed away at home on May 28, 2006. He grew up in Chicago and Arlington Heights, Ill., with his 2 loving brothers, Jeffrey (19) and Daniel (17). Joe’s large extended family of grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and long time friend, Haley Kidney mourn his loss with us.
Joe enjoyed his brothers’ company and was proud of them and their individual unique talents; Jeff’s free spirit and creativity and Dan’s academic and musical talents. They had grown into a chosen friendship with each other; as a parent it was beautiful to watch. Talking with each other and Joe’s many friends we found out that we all had special private moments with Joe and many just in the week before he passed away. We consider these moments gifts from God.
Joe had a beautiful wide smile and a funny sense of humor; he could really make me laugh. He loved to travel and enjoyed the serenity of the ocean. He was bright and had just earned a 4.0 GPA for this past semester and a 3.63 overall; he took pride in achieving his good grades. Joe was sensitive to others and was considering graduate school in psychology.
He had many friends from grammar school, Rolling Meadows High School and KU. They all remember him as being fun, caring and that he got along with everyone. Joe enjoyed “The Chicago White Sox, Texas hold-em”, ultimate frisbee, the Arlington Race Track, Seinfeld, the History channel and recently jogging with Spike, the family dog.
He studied abroad with his good friend Dave and a couple other KU classmates in Australia from June 2005 to December 2005; he traveled around that country and Fiji and just enjoyed the trip immensely. He was in awe of the beautiful scenery, the people and the shooting stars. He made many friends on that trip from around the world, had kept in contact with them, and had hoped to meet up with them again.
Joe loved KU from the time he visited the campus, his many friends, his classes, and following the sports teams, especially the basketball team. He would gather with his friends and call home just to make sure we were watching the games. Joe was a proud and enthusiastic fan.
We love Joseph so very much and miss him deeply. Our family is not complete without him and he will remain in our hearts and prayers forever.
I want to share with everyone that approximately 25 KU friends came in for Joe’s wake and funeral. They brought pictures and made posters at our home. Each of them embraced Joe’s brothers, his dad, and myself, and shared with all of us their fond memories of Joe. They too are grieving the loss of Joe, their friend and “brother”. Our family was overwhelmed by the love, sensitivity and dear expressions of kindness shown to us by Joe’s KU friends. They helped us to get to know the KU side of Joe better. Their willingness to help us whether it was cleaning up, making posters, sharing memories, crying with us or giving us all a lot of hugs and kisses, was so amazing I can’t even put it into words.
I wish I could tell each of their parents what wonderful children they have. They can be extremely proud of their children for their warmth and loving sensitivity. I can certainly understand why Joe loved them all so very much. KU can be proud to have these young people at their school.
I think Joe would want all his friends from home and KU to take pride in their schoolwork, take time to enjoy each other and their lives, and remember that those little acts of kindness and a simple smile can mean so much.
I along with my husband, John, and our children, Jeff and Dan, want to thank Joe’s KU friends from the bottom of our hearts for all that they did and continue to do for us and for the time they spent with us last week. They are truly Beautiful Human Beings.
Cecile Petermann (Joseph’s mother)
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