Lena Peters (nee Dyck) ObituaryOur Mom, Lena Peters (nee Dyck), was born on June 1, 1931 to Aron P and Lena Dyck on a farm 5 miles NW of Winkler, in the Zion school district. In 1940 they moved to the Burwalde District for the remaining years of her childhood. She had 2 sisters and 3 brothers of which she was the youngest. She grew up in a home where they loved the Lord.
Lena (Mom) was privileged to get her grade 10 education and then proceeded to Bible School in Winkler for 3 years.
Hard work was a big part of her life, both on the farm where she grew up, and later on a farm with her husband. She was not shy to get her hands dirty. Work was a part of survival and being grateful for what you have.
Sewing was one of her many ‘joys’ in life. When she was younger, she enjoyed cutting fabric into squares and sewing them into blankets. Later, she made clothes for herself, her family and others. She also sewed numerous wedding dresses including her own. Crocheting was another hobby. She made a variety of doilies and table runners. Many Christmas Shoe boxes also had toques and wash cloths made by her!
When she was a young teen, she committed her life to the Lord at a revival meeting with Rev Hoover at the old MB Church. She was baptized on confession of her faith, on September 9, 1945. She served in the MB church all her life, being involved in Bible Studies, Prayer Group, Special Music, Choir, Visitation, Mary Martha Fellowship, Music Ministry at Salem Home, Sunday School teacher and Hospitality. Wherever she was needed, she would lend a hand of service.
In the early 1950’s Lena was pursued by a young man named John. He knew her brothers and so found many opportunities to see her. They were married on September 13, 1953 and made a life together on the family farm 4 ½ miles North of Winkler. They welcomed 3 boys into their home – James in 1954, John (JC) in 1955 and Lawrence in 1959. Then in 1964 they were blessed with a girl – Dorothy…”finally someone to do the dishes”!
When she was just a young mom, in 1958, she lost her mom, who had been struggling with her health for several years. This was a significant loss for her.
John and Lena built their life together. It is very hard to separate them in memories. They farmed together, sang together, played games together, travelled together and did a lot of camping! Many of their friendships were strengthened around a campfire.
Mom was primarily a homemaker and mother. Before she was married, she did work one summer at an apiary near Myrtle. Then later, once we were pretty much grown, she worked at Salem home for 7 years as a housekeeper and then in the activity program.
They lived on the farm until 2003, when they moved to Lion’s Manor. It was a drastic move, from the farm to an apartment, but Mom always said she only wanted to move once. Lion’s was a great place for them. They forged many new and lasting friendships there. The amount of puzzles that were accomplished on the 5th floor common, was actually quite astounding. She was known for her serious puzzling skills!
In 2017, when Dad’s dementia increased, we had to move him to Salem Home. Mom was faithful to visit him regularly. She would give him a kiss when she greeted him and again when she had to say goodbye. That was a lot more sentimental demonstration than we every saw growing up as kids! It was touching. They were able to celebrate 66 years of marriage, before he passed away on June 19, 2020.
Although Mom’s body had been plagued with arthritis for years, she was a determined woman, living without homecare until she was 93. She became more fragile and unstable, causing us to hospitalize her in December of 2025. After just over 7 weeks, she passed away peacefully. Those 7 weeks seemed a bit of a roller coaster ride, but we had a number of what we would call “bonus days”, were we would see the ‘old MOM’ shining through.
While she was in hospital, one of the nurses had a conversation with her in which she said “fun and laughter – that’s me”! Her sense of humor and ready smile was there till the end.
Lena is predeceased by her husband John M Peters, parents, Aron and Lena Dyck, parents-in-law John J and Sarah Peters, sister Annie (Jake), sister Ruth, brother Aron (Anne), brother Henry, sister-in-law Susan, sister-in-law Betty (Jake), brother-in-law James.
She is survived by her children James (Charity) with Julie(Bryon) and Russ; JC (Lin) with JR (Tonille), Jeff (Karen) and Jenn (Zach); Lawrence (AJ) with Collin, Adam (Alexis) and Zach; Dorothy (Keith) with Derrick, Danny (Tom) and Jo (Cliff), 15 great-grandchildren, brother Frank, sister-in-law Evelyn, and brother-in-law Ron(Ginny).
We would like to thank the wonderful care of the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre and especially the palliative care team. She was definitely cared for and she felt it. Every time they would walk into the room, her smile would be right there. She was grateful and she told them so all the time!
Lena (Mom) was privileged to get her grade 10 education and then proceeded to Bible School in Winkler for 3 years.
Hard work was a big part of her life, both on the farm where she grew up, and later on a farm with her husband. She was not shy to get her hands dirty. Work was a part of survival and being grateful for what you have.
Sewing was one of her many ‘joys’ in life. When she was younger, she enjoyed cutting fabric into squares and sewing them into blankets. Later, she made clothes for herself, her family and others. She also sewed numerous wedding dresses including her own. Crocheting was another hobby. She made a variety of doilies and table runners. Many Christmas Shoe boxes also had toques and wash cloths made by her!
When she was a young teen, she committed her life to the Lord at a revival meeting with Rev Hoover at the old MB Church. She was baptized on confession of her faith, on September 9, 1945. She served in the MB church all her life, being involved in Bible Studies, Prayer Group, Special Music, Choir, Visitation, Mary Martha Fellowship, Music Ministry at Salem Home, Sunday School teacher and Hospitality. Wherever she was needed, she would lend a hand of service.
In the early 1950’s Lena was pursued by a young man named John. He knew her brothers and so found many opportunities to see her. They were married on September 13, 1953 and made a life together on the family farm 4 ½ miles North of Winkler. They welcomed 3 boys into their home – James in 1954, John (JC) in 1955 and Lawrence in 1959. Then in 1964 they were blessed with a girl – Dorothy…”finally someone to do the dishes”!
When she was just a young mom, in 1958, she lost her mom, who had been struggling with her health for several years. This was a significant loss for her.
John and Lena built their life together. It is very hard to separate them in memories. They farmed together, sang together, played games together, travelled together and did a lot of camping! Many of their friendships were strengthened around a campfire.
Mom was primarily a homemaker and mother. Before she was married, she did work one summer at an apiary near Myrtle. Then later, once we were pretty much grown, she worked at Salem home for 7 years as a housekeeper and then in the activity program.
They lived on the farm until 2003, when they moved to Lion’s Manor. It was a drastic move, from the farm to an apartment, but Mom always said she only wanted to move once. Lion’s was a great place for them. They forged many new and lasting friendships there. The amount of puzzles that were accomplished on the 5th floor common, was actually quite astounding. She was known for her serious puzzling skills!
In 2017, when Dad’s dementia increased, we had to move him to Salem Home. Mom was faithful to visit him regularly. She would give him a kiss when she greeted him and again when she had to say goodbye. That was a lot more sentimental demonstration than we every saw growing up as kids! It was touching. They were able to celebrate 66 years of marriage, before he passed away on June 19, 2020.
Although Mom’s body had been plagued with arthritis for years, she was a determined woman, living without homecare until she was 93. She became more fragile and unstable, causing us to hospitalize her in December of 2025. After just over 7 weeks, she passed away peacefully. Those 7 weeks seemed a bit of a roller coaster ride, but we had a number of what we would call “bonus days”, were we would see the ‘old MOM’ shining through.
While she was in hospital, one of the nurses had a conversation with her in which she said “fun and laughter – that’s me”! Her sense of humor and ready smile was there till the end.
Lena is predeceased by her husband John M Peters, parents, Aron and Lena Dyck, parents-in-law John J and Sarah Peters, sister Annie (Jake), sister Ruth, brother Aron (Anne), brother Henry, sister-in-law Susan, sister-in-law Betty (Jake), brother-in-law James.
She is survived by her children James (Charity) with Julie(Bryon) and Russ; JC (Lin) with JR (Tonille), Jeff (Karen) and Jenn (Zach); Lawrence (AJ) with Collin, Adam (Alexis) and Zach; Dorothy (Keith) with Derrick, Danny (Tom) and Jo (Cliff), 15 great-grandchildren, brother Frank, sister-in-law Evelyn, and brother-in-law Ron(Ginny).
We would like to thank the wonderful care of the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre and especially the palliative care team. She was definitely cared for and she felt it. Every time they would walk into the room, her smile would be right there. She was grateful and she told them so all the time!