Rev. Paul R. Peters, 88, of Elkader passed away, Monday, December 16, 2024.
Father Paul Peters was born October 18, 1936, in Fairbank, Iowa to Leo and Vera (Preble) Peters. His amazing gift of music began on the lap of his grandmother as she showed him how to chord music as a little boy. At a very early age, he had an ear for music. The Sisters of the Presentation who taught music at Immaculate Conception school helped him develop his love and God given talent. Sister Ellen Murphy and Sister Margaret Donnelly, both teachers at Immaculate Conception shared,” By the time Paul was in 5th grade, he could put a music program together and everyone received a specific part.” What a gift.
This talent was developed despite challenges. Many people whom Paul met along the journey offered their generous gifts to him. When Sister Miriam Viola arrived at Immaculate Conception, Fairbank, it didn’t take her long to recognize the innate gift that Paul had for playing the organ. She realized teaching a young man organ lessons with such talent was not her expertise. So, she went a step further and contacted Mrs. R. C. Wahlert. She had attended classes in St. Louis and would come to Fairbank to hear Paul play. Mrs. Wahlert generously paid for Paul to receive weekly organ lessons from Father Carmen at Loras College.
All along his journey, people have been there to help foster Paul’s love of music. Sister Margaret Donnelly PBVM invited Paul to Mason City to play the Town House on Friday evenings. This was the place to be on the weekend, back in the day. Another claim to fame was playing the organ on the Bob Cavanaugh KGLO TV program.
Paul graduated from Loras College in 1958, with a double major in philosophy and music. He accompanied the Vested Choir at Loras during his college days and was organist during his seminary days at Mount St. Bernard Seminary where he completed his theological studies in 1962.
Father Peters was ordained March 17, 1962, by Bishop George J. Biskup, D.D., at St. Raphael Cathedral. Most of his priesthood has been involved in teaching and music.
He was Associate Pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Cedar Rapids, 1962, Sacred Heart Parish in Osage, 1962, and St. Patrick Parish in Dubuque, 1962-1967, with a teaching assignment at Wahlert High School. In 1966, he began studies leading to a Master of Music Education Degree at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
In the summer of 1967, he was assigned to St. Edward, Waterloo, with a teaching assignment at Columbus High School. Finishing his Masters of Music Education Degree in 1970, Father was assigned to chair the Music Department at Columbus High School, a position he held for 13 years. During this time, he was dean of the American Guild of Organists, chair of the Music and Organ Commission of the Archdiocese and member of the Waterloo Symphony Board. He was the accompanist for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Chorale and choir director at St. Mary and St. Edward Churches. Father Peters was organist for the Varsity Men’s Glee Club, UNI Christmas Show for over almost 50 years. He gave instruction in piano, organ and voice at Columbus. He studied organ with Dr. Carl Staplin, Drake University and voice with Charles Matheson and Dr. Les Hale at UNI. During his tenure at Columbus, he supervised the construction of an addition to the Fine Arts Department.
Father served in St. Patrick Parish in Monona, and Sacred Heart Parish in Eagle Grove and directed the Eagle Grove Chorale. He moved on to St. Mary Parish in Guttenberg and pastoral Coordinator of the Catholic School consolidated with Immaculate Conception, North Buena Vista, and added Kindergarten to the school curriculum. Father Peters was appointed pastor of St. Joseph, Elkader and Sacred Heart, Volga, in July of 1997. In July of 2005, he became pastor of Saint Mary, Strawberry Point. Father retired in 2017.
Aware of Father’s great gifts and skill, the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the greater communities he served often invited Father Peters to share his musical expertise. He was asked to oversee the rebuilding of the Tellers Organ and the installation of the 4 rank Wicks Organ on the main floor of the Cathedral to accompany cantors. Also, with the help of Father Phil Recker, he wrote the music for the “Jubilee song” at the Archdiocesan Centennial Celebration at the UNI Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Music has been an instrumental part of Father Peter’s life for his 62 years of ministry. Visiting families, anointing the sick, blessing marriages, baptizing children and restoring peace with God has all been enhanced with his gift of music. He encourage many people to grow in their service to Christ through liturgical ministries, breaking open the Word of God and allowing them to find their individual talent to serve others.
Fr. Paul is survived by a sister-in-law, Maxine Peters of Waterloo.
Fr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Vera; sister, Velma; brothers and sisters in law, Francis and Aline (Prouse) Peters, Louis and Clara (Harn) Peters, James and Nannehe (Hart) Peters, Dale and Marilyn Peters and Thomas Peters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader. There will not be a visitation, and inurnment will take place at a later date.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home of Elkader is assisting with arrangements.
A livestream of the Funeral Mass will be available at www.vibrantcatholic.com/live.