Obituary of Joynes Lloyd Peterson

Joynes (Pete or JL) Peterson of Balgonie passed away on June 20, 2021 at 97 years of age.  He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Edith; and siblings Gus, Carl, Dorothy Frombach, and Harry Joynes.  Left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of almost 73 years, Evelyn (Renner) and their children Larry (Robyn), Arlyce (Monti) Vollman and Charles (Margaret), (Brenda); grandchildren Chad (Lee Ann), Cherie (Ward), Chrysa (Jarret), Curtis (Amanda), Raegan (Greg), Tye (Trish), Brie-Ann (Tatroy), Jill (Steve), Jade (Jody), and Jaymi (Nathan); nineteen great- grandchildren; and siblings Merlin, Norman (Laura) and Marjorie Farmer.

Pete was raised on a farm near Central Butte and had an amazing relationship with his siblings.  They were a family of exceptional baseball players and last year he and three of his brothers were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.  He had the most infectious laugh and there were many times that the laughing prevented the story from being told, but you can be sure that he had many funny stories of growing up with his siblings and in-laws and so many of them involved being chased by bulls.

Pete was a teacher by trade, but even without any secondary training, he was a teacher at heart and touched the lives of so many, from all of his students to family, friends and neighbors.  He met the love of his life Evelyn at choir practice in Edenwold and soon after settled in Balgonie where he taught algebra till he retired in 1984.  Pete was devoted to his family and dedicated to helping others – from staying in his classroom at every break and for at least half of every lunch hour just in case a student had an algebra question, to coaching community sports teams, and volunteering in the community including driving seniors to medical appointments when they didn’t have a ride. 

He was selfless and continually and consistently put everyone else’s needs and wishes before his own even as a young boy when he would stay behind and help his mother do dishes or scrub the floor instead of going outside to play, to travelling with Tommy Douglas in the early days to do what he could to help make health care equally accessible to all.

When he retired, his family and garden became the centre of his universe and he took such pride in his garden and that his grandchildren had an interest in it.  His garden was his forever happy place.

In respect of Pete’s wishes, there will be no funeral Service.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com