After an illness of nearly nine months, Father Joseph Peters, O.S.B. died of cancer on July 28th in an Omaha hospital where he was admitted about ten days before his death. During his last hours on earth, his brother monks took turns staying around the clock and praying with him.

Father Joseph was born October 8, 1923, in Starkweather, North Dakota. His family moved to Conception, Missouri, when he was a young child, where he attended Immaculate Conception Elementary and High School. After his graduation, he was inducted into the United States Army where he served as a chaplain’s assistant in various camps in the United States and European theater. After his discharge in 1945, he returned to Conception where he joined the Benedictine community there and professed his vows on August 31, 1947. He was ordained by Bishop Charles LeBlond, the Bishop of the diocese of St. Joseph in Missouri, on May 14, 1953. He attended Creighton University after ordination, graduating with a Masters of Arts degree in languages. After graduation from Creighton in 1965, he was assigned to Mount Michael Abbey. He transferred his vow of stability in October 1964 when the monastery was raised to the status of an Abbey.

Father Joseph served the community in many capacities. For twenty years he was the Director of Public Relations. He was the Dean of Students from 1965 to 1958. He was an instructor in the school, teaching Latin and religion, and was spiritual director and chaplain for the students. He was subprior of the monastery for ten years. He was treasurer at the time of his death. In the past few years, Father had been active in the TEC community in the Omaha area.

A Vigil service was held on the night before his burial for an overflow crowd in our chapel. Because of the large number of friends of Father Joseph who wanted to be present, we had to have the Mass of Christian Burial at the local parish church. Father Joseph was laid to rest in our Abbey Cemetery.