Joseph B. Peters

Joseph B. Peters, 91 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake with beloved family at his side.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, January 26th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Joseph Bernard, son of Ben and Helen (Thomas) Peters was born on December 9, 1925 at Rugby, ND. He was reared and educated in the Leeds, North Dakota area and attended country school.  He helped on the family farm until he entered the United States Army on April 23, 1946 at Fort Snelling, MN.  He proudly served his country during World War II, stationed in Japan with the 34th Infantry.  He was honorably discharged on September 28, 1947 with the rank of PFC.  After his discharge, Joe returned to the family farm and on October 18, 1948 was united in marriage to his beloved Irene Massine at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. They began their married life on a farm in Minnesota.  In 1951 they moved to Devils Lake and Joe worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Company for over 10 years then began his career as a yard foreman in the lumberyard business.  He first worked for Robertson’s Lumber Company for many years and retired in 1988 from Lake Lumber.  Even while working full-time during the day, he worked many hours and many years at House of Bottles.  Irene died in June of 1973. Joe continued to work at the lumber company and was blessed to meet and marry Myonne Bye on August 16, 1974 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.  They called Devils Lake home and shared 42 years of love and laughter, caring for each other in sickness and health and blending two families together.  His work ethics, his generous and caring heart carried over into retirement and he volunteered many hours at the Senior Citizens Center. He was the number one Pie Seller for many years, drove many miles delivery Meals on Wheels and when the work was done, enjoyed many hours playing Pinochle over a good cup of coffee and good conversation.  Joe spent many years collecting John Deere and International Toy Tractors at auctions, flea markets, threshing shows and everywhere in between. Joe also enjoyed membership in the VFW Club and was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Joe is survived by his wife Myonne; children Norma Jean (Dean) Ensrud, Pekin, ND, Joseph (Kathye) Peters Jr., Aurora, CO, James Peters, Grafton, ND, Dale (Carla) Peters, Centennial, CO, Allan (Sunmin) Peters and Jodi Hahn, both of Devils Lake and Mark (Lisa) Peters, Grand Forks, ND; step children Carol (Kenneth) Walford, Warwick, ND, Ronald (Shirley) Bye, Minot, ND and James Bye, Hermiston, OR; grandchildren Trina, Shannon, Patrick, Tara, Brandon-Joseph John, Natalie, Melissa- Ryan, Micaela- Brian- Samantha, Kristen- Bria; step grandchildren Harold, Kevin- Rolan, Renae, Raechelle-Jason, Jamie, Adam, Andria, Tina; 10 great grandchildren; 26 step great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 2 step great great grandchildren; sisters Evelyn Gresdahl, Huron, SD and Dorothy Scharberg, Albuquerque, New Mexico; many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Irene; great granddaughter Hannah; great great grandson JJ; sister Barbara Forestner; brothers Nick, Leonard and Francis Peters.   Casket Bearers will be Joe’s grandsons, Patrick Ensrud, Brandon Ensrud, Joseph John Peters, Brian Peters, Ryan Peters and nephew Jarret Peters. Honorary Bearers will be Paul Neis, Wayne Nelson, Warren Anderson, Art Schlieve and John Brinster.  Gift Bearers will be great grandchildren Sydnee Johnston and Jacob Merrill.