Bernhard “Ben” Peters

Bernhard “Ben” Peters

September 15, 1938 – January 26, 2023

On January 26, 2023, Ben was welcomed into Heaven by his Saviour, Jesus Christ and his loving wife Aggie.  He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Brenda Peters, sisters, nieces and nephews, and many friends. 

Bernhard Peters, or Ben as he was known to most, was born on September 15, 1938 to Henry and Suzanna Peters, at the family farm near Osler, Saskatchewan. Ben went to school at Saskatchewan School District #99, a one-room one-teacher school.

Growing up on the farm meant many farm duties, such as milking cows, feeding pigs, chopping wood, annoying his sisters and fighting with his brothers. His least favourite chores, done with brother Bill, were herding cattle and picking rocks. Many adventures were had to make it more bearable. Entertaining themselves was necessary, such as shooting insulators off telephone lines and never getting caught, which made it all worth it. Ben also had many adventures and shenanigans with his lifelong buddy, Johnny Wahl. On Saturday evenings, with 50 cents from his dad, Ben and Johnny would ride to Osler on one of the family horses, Frank, Dal or Jesse, for a brick of ice cream. Ben and Johnny also loved to race their horses.

Some of Ben’s favourite pastimes growing up were playing sports — fastball in particular. He played on several different teams, including the Patricia Flyers and Uniroyal. Baseball years included playing with brother Jake. Ben’s main position was pitching, but he also played other positions. He also enjoyed hockey in the wintertime, when they would make their own hockey sticks and pads, using balls for pucks. That way they could also play hockey in the summertime. Ben’s position was always goal. Some of the official hockey teams Ben played on were the work team with Midland Superior Express and a very brief stint with the Warman Warriors, which ended after a bad knee injury.

Ben’s working career centered on driving truck. His first job was hauling milk for Lobes Transport. After moving to Saskatoon in 1958, he spent the next 47 years trucking in and around the city. 

In 1958, Ben met Agatha (Aggie) Fehr, and on August 29, 1960, they were married at St. Thomas Wesley Church in Saskatoon. In their earlier years, Ben and Aggie loved to go dancing, especially at Danceland, one of their favourite spots.

On May 8, 1971, the day before Mother’s Day, Ben and Aggie made a trip to Swift Current, where they picked up their daughter Brenda Marie. It was a life-changing day for them, getting a six-month-old baby, but a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for Aggie.

Family holidays found Ben, Aggie and Brenda camping and fishing at several lakes, as well as spending time at Big Shell Lake at the cabin that Ben helped his brother Bill build. They also enjoyed trips to BC to visit friends. In later years, Ben and Aggie grew to love golfing together, spending many hours on the Waldheim golf course with Ben’s sister Margaret and brother-in-law Abe. Once retired, there was always something to do, like puttering around in his garage and house, giving a hand to friends or family, and helping Brenda fix her car or doing anything he could to help her out. Ben was Brenda’s hero in so many ways!

Once they moved to Bethany Manor in 2016, Ben and Aggie often spent time with friends and family, sharing meals, visiting, and playing games. Ben could often be found wandering around the Bethany halls, visiting with friends or staff and sharing a laugh in many of the social gathering spots.

Ben had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and it was very important to him. One of his greatest wishes was for all to “turn their lives over to God.” When Brenda was young, the family started attending West Portal Church and, shortly after that, both Ben and Aggie accepted God into their lives. In the spring of 1978, Ben was baptized at West Portal by Pastor Abe Klassen. Over the years, Ben and Aggie served their home church in several different capacities. Ben was an usher and then lead usher for many years, and always the honorary greeter for visitors to the church. For a time, Ben was known as the “Candy Man.” He always had Scotch Mints in his pocket to hand out to anyone he felt needed or wanted one. As a couple, Ben and Aggie helped for many years with the Lunch Committee, the church pie table at the yearly MCC Sale, regularly folded bulletins for Sunday services, and attended seniors’ programming.

Ben will be deeply missed by his daughter Brenda Peters; sisters Margaret Penner and Susie DeMeyer; sisters-in-law Nettie Martens, Audrey Peters and Diane Peters; nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Aggie; his parents Henry W. and Susanna Peters; and numerous family members.

A special thank you to the residents of Bethany Manor. Thank you to the many wonderful friends who were so kind and caring of Dad. You breathed life into him by your friendship and care.

Another special thank you to Dad’s palliative nurses with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Your kindness, compassion and care of Dad was tremendous and so greatly appreciated.

Viewing will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m., at West Portal Church, 3134 33rd Street West, Saskatoon, SK. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE BERNHARD PETERS
(The link will be updated as soon as it is available from the church. A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above.)

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.