Norman John Peters
Norman Peters Obituary
Norman John Peters
1962 ~ 2023
Norman John Peters was born January 22, 1962, in the Winkler Bethel Hospital, to Paul J. and Elizabeth Peters. He was a brother to Ray and Eric. We were privileged to have the support of family, village, and the church right from the beginning of our journey with a child with Downs Syndrome. Norman had some lung issues during his childhood that often landed him in the hospital, but he always recovered. After one such bout with double pneumonia, he came home and announced: I almost died! And then with a twinkle in his eye, he added, But I didnt! He learned to walk, talk, eat by himself and we rejoiced. At 5 years old he started to attend the ARC School in Winkler. This was a School only for children with mental disabilities, later this class was moved to a separate section of the Winkler Elementary School. He had wonderful, dedicated teachers: Mrs. Janzen, Eleanor Chornoboy, Viola Doell and Ella Neufeld, and we can only say a heartfelt thank you! After graduating, he went to Wpg. to Optimist House, a group home for young men. Here he learned how to live independently. Skills Unlimited was a place where he was given training for a job. At Kelvin High School he learned about money management. During this time, he attended a church service in Calvary Temple and went forward one evening and accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. He came home the next weekend and said: I want to be baptized. So Pastor Peter Zacharias baptized him in November, 1982. It was a moving experience. He served in the church as an usher for many years. He was there with a smile and friendly handshake to welcome many people into the service. In 1982, he moved to Winkler and lived in an apartment together with Trevor King, who became his close friend. Norman tried several jobs [in the hospital, at Bible Book Store, etc.] but in 1984 he began his job at Parkside Home Building Supplies. Here he did various jobs. He was involved with making deliveries, he kept the yard clean and helped wherever it was needed. He really enjoyed his time there. The business changed hands several times, but Norman always continued working there. We are deeply grateful to the management and staff for their kindness and consideration in allowing him to work there. He began to have health issues in 2020 and he finally retired on his 59th birthday, January 22,2021. He had worked there for 36 years and 4 months. He continued to be invited to their monthly Friday pizza lunches even after he quit working there. Special Olympics was very important to him. His coaches, Don and Sharon Dueck, Connie and Jake Driedger and Chris Sumner taught him so much more then only the sport. I remember them teaching him how to lose gracefully. This was tough for Norman to accept. We are so thankful for the time, effort, love and dedication that all the coaches had for Norman. Norman attended the Blumenort Mennonite Church in Rosetown and was an integral part of the Sunday School class. One of his classmates, said: Norman is a peculiar mix of child and adult, but I can never have an encounter with Norman without coming away from it feeling a little happier and wearing a smile. He possessed a child-like faith and displayed a confidence in his salvation. He had an awareness that one day he would be in Heaven with Jesus. He touched the lives of his family, many people in his church and the community he was a part of. Norman moved into Our Home in April 2022. He truly enjoyed his time there and we are so thankful to the staff who were always caring and compassionate. Norman suffered a stroke on Thursday, November 23, 2023. He was taken to the Boundary Trails Health Centre where he passed away the following day on Friday, November 24, 2023. He is with His Lord whom he loved.
He is survived by his parents, Paul J. and Elizabeth Peters, his brother, Ray and Corinne Peters, Paul and Carianne Peters, Simon and Miles, Jordan and Kailey Peters, Oliver, Shanley and Trevor Siemens, Owen, and his brother, Eric and Elvina Peters, Jason and Lisa Peters, Zachary, Callie and Lucas, Kristen and Steve Buse, Jayden and Zoe, Mitchell and Kristina Peters, Nathan.
Memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 2, 2023 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church with interment prior at the Gnadenthal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Normans memory to Special Olympics Manitoba.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler