Ruebena Peters

On May 12, 2025, Ruebena Peters went home to be with Jesus, her saviour and friend.

Ruebena was born into a large, lively and very loving family of 12. While a child at Sunday School, Ruebena realized God’s call on her life. She accepted Jesus as her Saviour at age 8 and was baptized when she was 15 years old, and became a lifetime member of Hepburn MB Church. Ruebena attended school in Hepburn through grade 7. She completed her schooling at Briercrest, SK, where she also graduated from Bible School. As a little girl, she felt the calling to be a missionary, and then in the early 50’s, she felt God reminding her of that calling. She enrolled in a Practical Nursing Course by correspondence with a 10 - 12 month internship in a hospital to complete the certificate, which she did in preparation for full-time Missionary Service. Then, after deputation and raising support, on November 15th of 1957, she boarded the Moore MacSun, a freightliner headed for South Africa with 4 other first-time missionaries. They landed on December 15th, and she began what would become 38 years of service with TEAM Missions in Africa.

Ruebena’s work included working in a missionary children’s home, leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday School, working as a dietician at a remote hospital in Mosvold, Ingwavuma, working with Bible correspondence courses, and helping with church planting. She lived in Swaziland, Northern Natal, Johannesburg, and Empengani. She had to learn and use the Zulu and Afrikaans languages in her work.

All of her family looked forward to the times when Ruebena would be home on furlough so they could connect with her, and there were always family gatherings and visits that would happen to make sure we all were able to spend quality time with her. Those visits were few, with many years in between, so they were very precious and very much enjoyed.

In 1995 Ruebena retired from her work in South Africa and moved back to Hepburn, SK. During her retirement she served in the Hepburn MB Church on the Missions Committee and enjoyed working with the Helping Hands Group making blankets for MCC. She was an active member at the Hepburn Seniors Center and enjoyed being part of that community.

In 2011 she moved into Pineview Manor in Rosthern, SK, and she remained at the care home where she was well looked after and loved by the staff till her passing. Our family sincerely appreciates the care that she was given by the Mennonite Nursing home in Rosthern.

Ruebena Rose Peters was the 10th of 12 children born to Henry and Helena Peters. She was born on June 18 as the first of a set of twins at Hepburn, SK. Ruebena leaves to mourn sister-in-law, Lydia Peters, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Helena Peters, her siblings and their spouses: Peter Peters, Annie (Don) Braun, Freida (Herman) Fadenrecht, Isaac (Elizabeth, Anne) Peters, Arthur (Mary) Peters, Erwin (Elizabeth) Peters, Esther (Clifford) Jost, Hilda (John) Siewert, Clarence (Erica) Peters, Reuben Peters, Justina (Stanley) Wichorek. 

Ruebena's Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Martens Warman Funeral Home, 402 Central Street W., Warman, SK. If you are unable to attend Ruebena's Funeral Service, please click the following link to watch the live stream:  Ruebena Peters' Livestream Service Link.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with Ms. Ruebena Peters' care and arrangements.