Peters, Henry (1925-1978)

Revision as of 16:43, 19 May 2021

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Nov 24 p. 32

Birth date: 1925 May 05

text of obituary:

Henry and Anne Peters were taken home to be with their Lord on October 13. They had served God together throughout their married life and it was their prayer that they should also die together.

Henry Peters was born on May 5, 1925 to Henry and Katharina Peters in Kontiniusfeld, Russia. Together with his parents and sisters he immigrated to Canada at the age of six months, eventually settling in Gem, Alta.

Anne was born on March 1, 1930 to Peter and Tina Doerksen in Coaldale, Alta. Their family moved to Gem several years later, across the tracks from the Peters residence.

Both became Christians and were baptized in their teen years and became active members of the local church.

Their childhood friendship grew and they were married on June 4, 1950. Except for a one-year break when they attended the Mennonite Brethren Bible College, they farmed year-round in Gem until 1960. At that time they felt led by God to get further music training, and with a great deal of faith, some apprehension and six children in tow, they moved to Winnipeg to take a three year B.A. program. God seemed to reward their faith and Henry said that during those years the crops produced like never before or after. They both often talked about their college years. The many friends they made in Winnipeg, both at school and at church, remained special.

Coming home to Gem every spring was something like a homecoming. They looked forward to the first Sunday in church when they could meet old friends, renew acquaintances and catch up on the past year. They always felt the prayerful support of the Gem Church while they were away. They always felt that they were welcomed back with open arms.

In the last year of his B.A. program in Winnipeg, Henry was approached by Bethany Bible Institute to teach music there. Anne wrote to the children that this call was like a dream come true. They would be able to teach and keep the farm in Gem at the same time. Anne was a little frightened of moving to a new place and making new friends again, but she and Henry soon found warm fellowship in the Hepburn church. Henry often talked about the enthusiastic congregational singing. For Anne the work she did in the church was challenging, yet she experienced many blessings, especially in the ladies fellowship. Henry experienced similar blessings teaching at Bethany. He often marvelled that it was possible for so many teachers with diverse personalities and ideas to work in harmony, supporting each other and cooperating even if there were differences of opinion. The friendships they formed with the faculty members and their wives were precious to them both.

Henry always wanted to continue his studies, so in 1972 they moved to Fort Worth, Texas with the three youngest children. He received his Masters degree in Church Music, and they returned to Bethany full of excitement and new ideas. Although a chapter in their lives was closed with the youngest child leaving home this fall, they had many plans for the future. Both were looking forward to a year of further studies in Texas. Henry was planning to write a book on creative congregational singing, and Anne thought she might also take some course. They also felt God might have a ministry for both of them in some type of Christian service overseas.

They will be deeply missed with fond memories by their family, relatives and many friends. They are survived by their six children and spouses, Evelyn and David Baril, Kingston, Ont., Vern and Debbie Peters, Winnipeg, Lucy and Jack Vogt, Whitehorse,Yukon, Doris, Melvin and Dennis attending school in Austria; Henry's father, Henry Peters Sr. of Coaldale, and his five sisters and one brother; Anne's mother, Mrs. Tina Doerksen of Coaldale, and her three sisters and two brothers.

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