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Peter Meyer--1927-2006
September 20, 2006
We lost a Master gardener and builder this week. Pete is irreplaceable in the life of Wiser Lake Chapel, and in the substance of our community. As I watched his children and grandchildren stand up to eulogize him today, I could see what this former South Dakota farmboy sowed in each of them. There it was, apparent in their faces and voices, and in what they said--Pete's humor, Pete's sincerity, Pete's transparent character of goodness, Pete's faith in the Living God. The fruits of Pete's labor will continue to grow in those descendents, and I'm sensing too what he left behind in me.
Pete was the first to come up to a new person with a hearty hello and engulfing handshake. I remember it well 17 years later, and can still feel the warmth it brought us as a family in search of a church home. To me: "You don't happen to play piano, do you?" he asked. "You do? Good! We need that! We need you!" To my husband: "Say, I think we have a high school Sunday School class in need of a teacher--you'd be perfect." We were home, just like that. Wanted and needed and blessed by Pete. His certainty fertilized and grew our confidence. I'm still playing piano and Dan's teaching Sunday School all these years later.
Pete and Esther were true partners who grew 6 boys over the years, while fostering our little mission church Sunday School and mentoring pastors as they served the Chapel. They opened their home regularly to those who needed to be fed a meal and the Word. They taught woodworking skills in Boys' Club and cooking and sewing in Girls' Club, and gathered the neighborhood children up for Vacation Bible School and encouraged their parents to check out the little church. Many did and stayed, drawn to the enthusiasm of this man and his love of the Lord.
Pete's handprints and footprints are all over the rich soil of our church--he hoisted it to build the basement Sunday School rooms, he installed the wood altar trim and cross that graces the front of the sanctuary and he built the gathering hall behind. He wasn't a man who needed or wanted things fancy but I never fail to feel welcomed into the simple elegance of our sanctuary every time I enter. It is a fitting place for worship thanks to Pete's eye and his hands.
A huge gulf is left by Pete's passing. We are incapable of filling this void on our own, so will trust in the Lord to enable us all together as the church family thrives to the next generation. Pete would expect no less and as we've grown in his garden, we will continue harvesting what he began.
Emily
http://www.briarcroft.com/emily.htm
emily@briarcroft.com
Pete's favorite hymn
sung at his funeral by Danyale Tamminga, slowly,
sweetly, accompanied by her guitar
I'll Fly Away
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away.
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away.
I'll fly away, O Glory, I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away.
When the shadows of this life have flown,
I'll fly away.
Like a bird thrown, driven by the storm,
I'll fly away.
I'll fly away, O Glory, I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away.
Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away.
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away.
I'll fly away, O Glory,
I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away.