Obituary of Shirley Peters

To watch the celebration of Shirley's life, please CLICK HERE.

Shirley Patricia Peters (née Dalgarno)

Shirley Patricia Peters died peacefully Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Rideau Park Personal Care Home, where she had been a resident since June 2024. She never did believe she was 98 years old.

Shirley was born on the Dalgarno family farm September 4, 1927 at Newdale, Manitoba, the youngest of 10 children. She attended Winnipeg Normal School and taught for three years before marrying her high school sweetheart Arthur Benson Peters in 1949. They farmed together in the Rapid City area for 55 years before retiring to Brandon. They and their family celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in July 2025 with a joyous picnic in the park.

“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today” was one of mom’s beliefs. Working all night with dad to bring in a crop at 6:00 am before the rain began, driving the grain truck with a cab full of kids and getting the dishes done before supper was over was all in a day’s work for mom. 

The care and nurturing of her growing family was her lifelong calling. Always room at the table for a friend or a stranger - hospitality was a given. Her pies and baked goods won prizes at the Rapid City Fair. Her bread, crafted with freshly ground wheat grown on the family farm held pride of place and a loaf was coveted by three generations. Her roast beef may have been overcooked, but her gravy was divine. Every new baby was welcomed with a hand knit blanket and our closets hold mom-made sweaters and socks. She didn’t like to lose at scrabble or ping pong.

Shirley and Art’s participation and contributions to the Rapid City community, especially the rink and 4H Clubs, set an example for their nine children to follow.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Arthur, her daughter Carol, her sons Harry and Douglas and daughter- in- law Barb.

She is survived and missed by her children Bev (barb), Gordon (Diane), Pat (Gene), David (Sharon), Karen (Mike), Cindy (Paul) and daughters- in- law Judith and  Shannon; nineteen grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and sister- in- law Audrey Peters.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332 8th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, on Monday, February 23 at 2:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Shirley’s name may be sent to Rapid City and Area Foundation at https://bacf/rapidcityfund.