SCHLAMP - At noon on Friday, September 9, 2011, Peter G. Schlamp, age 91, passed away peacefully at the Cypress Regional Hospital. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior with family and friends by his side as he made this final journey. Peter was born into the Gustav & Anna Schlamp family on October 29, 1919. He was one of 14 children, 6 of whom died in infancy. He grew up in the farming community of Rosenhof and took his schooling at Flora West. At a young age, this little German speaking boy spent at least six weeks in the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina and it was at this time that one of his eardrums was removed. At the age of twenty three, he served his country at the Prince Albert National Park Alternative Services Camp (most commonly referred to as the CO or Conscientious Objector’s Camp) for a total of four months. Also at the age of twenty three, the good Lord saw fit (Dad’s words) to give him his life’s partner and love of his life, Susie Funk. They were married on December 27, 1942, in the Chortitz Sommerfelder Church. Mom and Dad lived with Grandma and Grandpa Funk for the first three years of their married life and in 1946, they purchased their own home in “Little Reinfelt”, where they lived and farmed for almost 60 years. During the course of these years, they were blessed with six children. They stayed on the farm until 1985, at which time they moved into Swift Current. They resided in their own home until 2009. They lived at the Bentley until March of 2011, and spent their last months living at the Prairie Pioneer Manor until July, at which time Dad was admitted to the hospital and he remained there until his homegoing. Dad’s farming was of the mixed variety. He brought two large horses by the name of “Fanny” and “Fleury” into the marriage. They were a big help on the farm. He always had cattle and milked lots of cows throughout his lifetime. In the springtime, there would often be an eight mile cattle drive to the summer pasture which was where he had spent his childhood chasing cattle and swimming in the creek. He loved music and learned to play the violin at an early age. He had many fond memories of making music with his very good friend, John Letkeman and he continued playing the violin for many years. Dad was the local barber for some folks. He played a good game of horseshoe and he was a sharpshooter in the crokinole world and known to win some tournaments. He was crazy good at making twenties. He was known as a very kind, humble and gentle man and that reputation followed and stayed with him throughout his life. He was baptized into the Sommerfelder Church and in 1950, he was asked to be a minister in the church. From that time on, his duties became divided between family, farm and church. In 1958, he experienced a new relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ and from that day forward he walked in confidence and assurance of his eternal salvation. He became one of several lay ministers in the Evangelical Mennonite Church at Chortitz during this time. He loved God and cared about his fellowman and as a result, he spent a lot of time traveling to parts of BC, SK and also MB to preach the gospel so others would get to know his Jesus. The memory of him leaning over the pulpit with his right hand in the air will be familiar to many. He paid many visits to the sick and shut-ins and when the farming came to an end, the visitations to the Palliser, the nursing homes in Herbert and the hospital increased. Dad struggled with his hearing throughout his life and as a result he had to quit playing the violin and finally he also had to give up the hospital visits. To our knowledge, however, he never whined and complained about it. In the end, his hearing aid got lost and so for the last few months we communicated with a dry erase board and by him reading our lips. He ran his race, not perfectly, but with a desire to be like his Savior and with the desire that all should come to repentance and be saved. His was a very silent world in his last years, but he would surprise us all with his booming voice when he was asked to pray. It showed us that although there was not much energy for life activities anymore, his fervor for God was still alive and well. It is so great for dad to now be with his Savior, but he will be sadly missed by his wife of almost 69 years, Susie; sons, Henry (Anne) of Williams Lake, Edwin (Audrey) of Abbotsford; daughters, Emily (Isaac) Froese of Kennedy, Carol ( Jim) Martens of Wymark, Mary (Steve) Henderson of Swift Current; son-in-law, Ernest Froese; 19 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sisters, Margaret Neufeld of Swift Current and Matilda Krahn of Innisfail; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Schlamp of La Crete, Susie Schlamp of Vanderhoof and Anne Funk of Vanderhoof. He was predeceased by one daughter, Susan Froese; his parents, Gustav & Anna Schlamp; brothers & sisters-in-law, Jacob (Helen), Gustav (Anne), John and Ben; sister & brother-in-law, Annie (Isaac) Krahn; brother-in-law, Dave Neufeld; his parents-in-law, Isaac & Anna Funk; and by all but one of Susie’s siblings and their spouses. The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at 2:00 pm from the Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Paul Little officiating. The pianist for the service was Andrea Neustaeter. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “What a Day That Will Be” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Marlen Froese. The obituary was shared by Emily Froese & Carole Martens with tributes brought by Eddie & Henry Schlamp on behalf of the children, Murray Froese on behalf of the grandchildren and by a PowerPoint presentation. Special music was provided by Archie & Sylvia Neufeld singing, “Will You Walk with Me” and by Mary Henderson, Marilyn Rempel & Lisa Schapansky singing, “Be Not Afraid”. The ushers in the church were Murray Froese, Gene Froese, Doug Martens, Cody Schlamp, Marvin Allan and Kirk Wall. The Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Chortitz EMC Cemetery, Chortitz, SK with the following grandsons serving as pallbearers, Rob Schlamp, Steve Froese, Doug Martens, Jerry Froese, Ryan Henderson and Clint Schlamp. In memory of Peter G. Schlamp, donations made to the Wymark EMC Church at Chortitz or to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.