Benno Peters, our father, grandfather, and great grandfather, was born to Heinrich H. and Anna Peters May 18, 1926 in Ebenfeld, Manitoba, the family homestead, and the second of eight children. The family moved to Steinbach in 1927, where his Dad’s business involvement in a general store and the John Deere agency lasted until 1942, at which time the family moved to the Potato Peters Farm just south of Steinbach. Dad enjoyed the hard work of farming, but still found time to court a young lady by the name of Helen Dueck who finally agreed to marry Dad on June 16, 1948, although Dad being a Chortizer Conference and Mom an Evangelical Mennonite Brethren did raise some eyebrows, especially when Mom, with Dad’s full support, insisted on a white wedding gown. Dad and Mom continued living on the family farm for several years, during which time their first son, Paul, arrived. A move to Steinbach included Dad’s venture into the commercial “honey wagon” business, and resulted in another son, Patrick, to make his appearance. The introduction of sewer and water services caused Dad to reconsider his business involvement, and in 1956 the family of four was now off to Kenora, Ontario, but keeping the house in Steinbach for weekend return visits. Dad acquired the gasoline service business related to the Penner Motors Ford dealership in Kenora, only to see the dealership, and his business, burn to the ground in 1959. Back to Steinbach. Several years were spent employed at Broesky Texaco Service. Dad still has the silver dollars he received after he informed an undercover Texaco representative of a loose fan belt, planted to test the service of the business.To allow the owner’s son to join the business, Dad’s honour required him to quit this job, and the family was off to the beet fields. And, Dad and Mom built their present home on Kroeker, and, surprise, added a daughter, Lori. Dad found employment in 1963 as a printer at Derksen Printers, a position he never relinquished, was proud of, and was appreciated for by his employers and his family. Now that the employment moves ended, Dad and Mom were to travel around the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica and almost every country, including at least 21 trips to Haiti, many trips to South America, trips to the Far East including China, Japan, Korea, Laos, the Philippines, and discovering Europe as well. Meeting people all over the world resulted in many friendships and return visits in Dad and Mom’s home. Several families new to our country were befriended by our parents, whom he still considered as family. All of these endeavours never prevented Dad from his love of service for his Heavenly Father in the church. Dad served faithfully for his entire life as a song leader, an usher, and a member of countless committees, as well as the “sound and recording man”. But his primary love for the church was demonstrated through his countless and usually thankless hours as the church “mopotologist”. He mopped, vacuumed, washed, wiped, cleaned, repaired, arranged, set up, rearranged, took down, unlocked the doors, locked the doors, and maintained God’s house for more than 40 years, only passing the responsibility when he was no longer physically able – although he thought he was still able. Mom’s change of address upon her passing, after 60 years of marriage, took quite a bit of Dad’s zest from him, but he soldiered on determinedly and valiantly. His particular love was transporting goods to Union Gospel Mission and the MCC (Winnipeg warehouse). So much so that one trip in the morning and one trip in the afternoon was not an oddity. It was on one of these trips that he hit black ice, lost control and rolled his truck. This ended a very enjoyable outlet for his need to be ‘on the road’. His final steps were during a trip of service for a fellow church member, one last act of service for his Lord. When we, his children, asked in his final moments “Dad, are you ready?”, he said without hesitation and in confidence, “Anytime”. Dad’s Helen, has been waiting for him since 2008. Benno was predeceased by his wife, his parents and and two sisters Rose and Ellen. He is survived by two brothers, Norman and Leonard and three sisters Violet, Evelyn and Shirley. His children, Paul and Viola Peters, Patrick and Alvina Peters, and Lori and Peter Taylor, the grandchildren, Amy and Chris with Emma and Henry, Ian with Jayden, Chad and Lenora with Arwen, Ebony, Elric and Roman, Corey and Jennifer, Bonnie and Mark with Myles and Anneka, and Andrew, Lori and Peter with Samuel, are staying behind for now. See you soon, Dad. Anytime.. Viewing will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba. Viewing also at the chapel prior to the service. The funeral service will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel. Interment to follow at Memorial Cemetery, Steinbach, Manitoba. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Benno may be made to Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 1073; Stn. Main; Winnipeg., MB R3C 2X4.