Peter Russell Jeffery

Peacefully, on Saturday March 15, 2025 at the Lions Prairie Manor at the age of 92, Peter Jeffery went to be with his Lord and Saviour with family at his side.

Peter was born on January 25, 1933 in Portage la Prairie to Lillian Jeffery and William Cecil Jeffery. Peter married Lila Martin on May 28, 1966. They were married for 58 years. Together, they had their daughter Sheila and raised her on the family farm just outside of Portage la Prairie.

Peter began his education at West Curtis School and when the family moved to Portage la Prairie, he attended Victoria School, Old Central, and Portage Collegiate. He also helped his mom run the family farm. Following graduation, Peter worked for a tobacco wholesale and later for the Hudson Bay Company in their Red Lake, Ontario location. He then returned back to the RM of Portage to help with the family farm. Peter raised different animals over the years including chickens, cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, ducks, geese and also harvested grain. He shipped cream and delivered eggs to the hatchery in Winnipeg twice a week.

Peter was elected to the Board of Directors for Manitoba Dairy and Poultry Co-operative for two years. During his two-year term, the cooperative split and became Manco Dairy and Granny’s Poultry cooperative. He then served on the Manco Dairy board as a director for ten years. In the early 70’s Peter was elected to the Board of Directors for Portage la Prairie Consumers Co-operative Limited. He served a total of six years as director, with the last four years holding the position of President of the board. In 1993, Peter was once again elected to the Portage Co-op Board, where he served as Vice-President. In 2003, Peter retired from the board and received a cooperative merit award.

Peter was also very involved at Redeemer Lutheran Church, the church he and Lila went to. He had served on the church council in many capacities. He served as president, vice president, elder, and trustee during various times. He also sang in the church choir and took pride in taking care of the church property.

Peter loved to be outside. You would often see him puttering around working on something. From mowing the lawn, to tilling the garden, weeding the garden, spraying weeds, to cutting trees. He always wanted to help. He even helped pick raspberries until he was 90. As one could say “Once a farmer, always a farmer”.

His pride and joy were his 2 granddaughters. Every Thursday morning, Peter would go grocery shopping with his wife Lila. When his granddaughters were off of school, he would bring them along to go shopping with them. When the old Co-op store was still open, he would take them to “Over the Tracks,” the restaurant inside and get them an order of fries to share. When the new Co-op opened, he got them a donut and pop. The last few years, he had also enjoyed going to Chicken Chef and getting the breakfast special or his favorite fish and chips. He had a booth that he liked to sit in, and the staff got to know Peter and what he would order each week. Peter also loved some good Chinese food. He would play board games such as Trouble and Whoonu with the girls at the kitchen table while grandma watched. In the summer the girls would walk to grandpa and grandma’s house to get ice cream cones.

Predeceased by his parents Lillian Jeffery and William Cecil Jeffery; brother Tom Jeffery, niece Janice Young, parent-in-laws George and Maria Martin, brother-in-law John Martin and brother and sister-in-law William and Gloria Martin. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Lila Jeffery of Portage la Prairie MB, his daughter Sheila (Simon) Bueckert of Portage la Prairie, granddaughter Alicia of Portage la Prairie, and granddaughter Kiersten (Jordan) Burkart of Winnipeg.

The family would like to thank the staff at Notre Dame Foyer and the Lions Prairie Manor for their compassionate care and kindness towards Peter over the past year and a half. We also want to acknowledge Elm River Hutterite colony for their help and meals when dad was still on the farm.

A funeral service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Friday March 21, 2025 at 1 pm, with viewing prior to the service. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in honour of Peter to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 20-12th St. N.W. Portage la Prairie, MB. R1N 2S6.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021