Peggy Bozon (1925-2018)

Peggy J. Bozon, 92, entered into eternal life on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Grand Prairie Health and Rehab in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Born in Keota (Bevier), Missouri on July 6, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Thelma Barton (Kitchen) and Carl Barton. She married Frank Bozon in 1942.

Peggy was a talented artist and community activist for the arts. Through the years, Peggy’s mother collected drawings, photographs, newspaper clippings and other treasures from her daughter and lovingly compiled all into a scrapbook titled, “Peggy…From the Beginning.”

Peggy said her mom, a ceramic artist and chef, saw the interest her daughter had in art at an early age. Although she never pushed, her mother’s encouragement and praise inspired Peggy to develop her artistic potential.

She became interested in art during the Depression. Back then, there wasn’t money for art supplies so her mother saved scraps of butcher paper for her daughter to use. Peggy even improvised a bit and made mud paintings. At 4 1/2 years old, Peggy drew an ink drawing of Wheeler and Woosley, a movie comedy duo from the late 1930s. That original drawing and other artwork from ages 8-11, as well as a self-portrait at age 16, appears in the montage also titled “From the Beginning.”

Peggy graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in May 1990 and took summer art classes at Layton School of Arts in Milwaukee. She also attended the University of Wisconsin Extensions in Kenosha, Janesville and Milwaukee and was a student at Gateway Technical College.

Peggy went on to become a teacher to share her knowledge with others. She taught drawing, mixed media, oil painting and acrylic painting for the Kenosha Art Association for many years. Peggy also instructed adult and children’s art classes at the Kenosha Public Museum.

One of Peggy’s proudest accomplishments is the Kenosha County Fair’s Cultural Arts Exhibit. She was active in the Kenosha County Fair for more than 36 years, 21 of which were as Superintendent. It was not unusual for Peggy to spend as many as 100 hours in August preparing for the exhibit. When the fair was over, she immediately began work for the next year’s exhibit.

Upon retiring in 1996, she commented, “I’ve never considered it a burdensome labor. It’s always been a labor of love throughout all these years.”

Peggy’s involvement in the fair led to judging positions for juried exhibits at numerous regional art fairs. She also served as a judge for the Kenosha Unified Schools, UW-Parkside and Carthage College. She was truly committed to cultural arts and was happy to be an active volunteer in the community.

She has earned nearly 3,000 ribbons and has art on display in England, Spain and Germany. Peggy has won Best of Show at the Wisconsin State Fair, Kenosha County Fair, and the Cohorama Art Fair. One of her most prestigious commissions was a bicentennial piece, a replica of the U.S. Treasury Seal, for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Peggy was honored at the 1998 Kenosha Civic Veteran’s Parade and received awards of recognition by the Kenosha Art Association, Kenosha Rotary Club and by the Kenosha County Fair Board.

In 2006, Peggy earned Anderson Art Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for her dedication to the arts through body of work, teaching, mentoring, leadership, philanthropic activities and awareness of fine arts in the community.

Peggy’s biggest joy came from sharing her experience with others through teaching, critique and private workshops. She found it extremely rewarding to give to others. Peggy’s inspiration came from her mother, her teachers, and most of all, “my Lord and Savior, Jesus, who gave me these talents I’ve shared with others”.

Peggy was also a valued member of The (Baptist) Tabernacle, Shubert Music Club of Kenosha, National Federation of Music Clubs, American Cancer Society-Wisconsin Division, and a volunteer ministry leader for Hospitality Manor and Rehab. “I’ve been a helper all my life, and a doer, and a promoter. I’ve always encouraged people.”

She is survived by her son, Alan “Bo” Bozon (Karen) from Benbrook, TX; daughter-in-law, Susan (Bozon) Morton, North Ft. Myers, FL; 5 grandchildren, Benjamin Bozon, Peyton Bozon Cole (Brandon), Matt Bozon (Erin), Mark Bozon (Tracy), Gretchen Bozon Harriman (Dion); 6 great grandchildren, Hannah, Rachel, and Sarah Harriman, Brin and Luke Bozon, and Judah Cole, and special friends and caregivers, Cathy Wathen and Jim May.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Bozon, and her son, Glenn Bozon.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at The Tabernacle, 7951 36th Avenue, Kenosha. Friends may visit with the family at 9:30 am. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will take place at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Peggy Bozon Scholarship Fund to benefit the arts and mailed to Casey Family Options, 3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142