Peter Blatz
1927 - 2008
On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Peter Blatz, aged 81 years of Morden, passed away peacefully at Boundary Trails Health Centre. Peter was born March 22, 1927. On September 7, 1952 he married Sara (nee Hamm) in Blumenfeld, MB. After several moves they settled in Morden in 1956.
Dad was a hard worker and taught his children the same. Among his places of work were the Morden Foundry, Standard Gas Engine Works (which later became Farm King), and manager of Hillside Service station. Upon his retirement, dad was able to follow his heart back to his homeland of Mexico by transporting people and their treasured packages back and forth. The closer he got to Mexico, the better he felt. Dad also loved to spend time in his garden, when he wasn’t going out for coffee with friends.
Dad was a positive, optimistic person who always saw the glass half full. Even with his recent medical struggles, dad had a sense of humour that we all appreciated. Dad was a trustworthy, generous man who had a soft spot for those less fortunate. He was always willing to help, even complete strangers. Dad loved to "schpose", and with his quick wit, you never knew what his response would be.
When Mom had a stroke 15 years ago and was not able to do the things she used to do, Dad stepped up to the plate and told Mom, “You have taken care of me for all these years. Now it is my turn to take care of you”. So they became a team and did everything together.
Dad was healthy until approximately 3 years ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was not expected to live long. But God had other plans. Because of Mom’s deteriorating health, God saw fit for Dad to regain his strength and take care of Mom until she passed away in June. After her death, Dad’s cancer came back and he finally succumbed to it on December 16, 2008. In his last years, dad's growing openness to God's love was very evident.
He will be fondly missed by his children: Cornie and Kathy, Margaret and Abe Peters, John and Beverly, Dan and Eileen, Abe, Jake and Darlene, Rose, Peter, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 4 sisters, one brother, 2 sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law and their families, Mom’s siblings and their families and special friends Herb and Irene Klassen.
Funeral service was held on Friday December 19, 2008 at 2:00 pm at Chortitz Old Colony Mennonite Church with interment at the Church Cemetery.
Thank you to everyone for their love, prayers, support, food, flowers and cards. We would also like to express our appreciation to Dr. Woelk, Dr. S. Van Niekirk, the staff on the medical ward and the home care nurses. Also, a thank you to all the people who came to visit and minister to dad while he was in the hospital.
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.