ELISABETH PETERS (DYCK)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELISABETH PETERS (nee DYCK) 1915 - 2011 Our dear mother and grandmother, Elisabeth Peters died on May 16, 2011. She leaves to mourn her daughter Dr. Rosmarin Heidenreich (Paul Paterson), Winnipeg, son Karl Peters (Nouk), Thailand, grandchildren Stephanie and Philip Heidenreich, Toronto, their father Dr. Wolfgang Heidenreich, Winnipeg, granddaughter Saraniya Peters, Thailand, sisters-in-law Irene Peters, Kathryn Dyck, May Dick-Anderson, and cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Victor Peters, her four sisters Katherine Krueger (Katya), Anne Unruh (Njuta), Susanne Peters (Sonya), Ella Friesen, her two brothers Henry and Dietrich Dyck as well as five brothers-in-law. Elisabeth was born November 13, 1915, in Grigorewka, southern Russia, the youngest daughter of Katherina Dyck (nee Funk) and Dietrich Dyck. She immigrated to Canada with her mother and siblings in 1925, her father having been killed in the aftermath of the Russian revolution. After obtaining her teaching certificate and then her B.A and M.A degrees, Elisabeth had a long and successful career, first as a school teacher in rural Manitoba and Winnipeg, and later as a professor at the University of Manitoba. She was an active advocate of German language programmes in Manitoba schools and in this connection as well as in the context of other projects and commitments she was a sought-after public speaker in both Mennonite and non-Mennonite circles. Always interested in the arts, she staged plays and other cultural events throughout her teaching career, and wrote several plays herself, which were staged by both student and adult drama groups. She herself performed in a number of Mennonite Theatre productions. She was a member of several reading clubs, one of which she founded. Elisabeth was a long-time contributor to Mennonite publications in both English and German, including Der Bote. She was the author of a number of prose writings, some of which have been published. She also co-edited, with Ted Friesen, a volume on the village of her birth in southern Russia. Together with her late husband, she was instrumental in the founding of what is now Westgate Mennonite Collegiate. She received numerous awards and distinctions for her service and commitment to various sectors of the community. One tribute that touched her especially was a gala evening organized in her honour by former pupils from Horndean School, 50 years after she had taught there. She will be remembered by former pupils, students and colleagues for her passion and idealism as a teacher. Others will remember her as a gifted writer and storyteller. Her family and friends will remember her for the love and support which she gave so generously. The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2011 at First Mennonite Church (Notre Dame and Arlington), followed by interment at Brookside Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stephanie and Philip Heidenreich, Hank Krueger, John Peters, Robert Friesen and Jack Fleming. The family extends warmest thanks to the caring staff at Bethania Personal Care Home, and also to family and friends who faithfully visited our mother. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 2011