Jeanne L. Peters, age 93, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL.

Jeanne was born July 3, 1923 in The Netherlands in the nursery town of Boskoop. She was the second of five children born into a close knit family with many relatives living on the same street most of whom were in the nursery business.

At age 16 Jeanne's beloved mother died leaving her father to raise the family. The German Occupation of the Netherlands began just months later in May of 1945 and lasted until she was 21. There are many stories of her bravery during these years. Some are included in her autobiography "My Extraordinary Life."

Jeanne married Martin "Maarten" Peters also of Boskoop in a triple wedding shared with her two twin sisters on June 21, 1951. A month later Jeanne and Martin moved to the US where their three children were born.

Jeanne was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church attending multiple services weekly and serving in youth ministries. It was not until in the US that a messianic Jewish man named Paul Miles showed her the way to know Christ as her personal savior. This decision revolutionized her life, and the Lord was the main focus of it throughout her remaining years.

Jeanne was always very active and a leader in everything she did. She served in Pompton Lakes, NJ Civil Defense where she led hundreds of volunteers . She was a Pioneer Girl director for over 35 years. She was the president of the hospital auxiliary when she lived in Sussex, NJ and later the Holland Club and Neighborhood Association in Holiday, FL where she retired. She was an active choir member for decades, enacting dramas, and even past the age of 90 sang in the choir and worked with children in Awana. Jeanne moved to Wheaton, IL in 2002 where she joined First Baptist Church of Wheaton.

While raising their children, Jeanne was a homemaker. Later on she worked for 20 years at the Holland America Bakery in Sussex, New Jersey. She never stopped getting excited when she received packages of their special pastries, which are now made by the next generation.

Where ever Jeanne went, her joyfulness, smile, enthusiasm for life and love of the Lord and people went with her. Jeanne was always extending herself to everyone she met because she truly loved people. She was always optimistic and encouraging. She was a shining example of aging with grace.

In 1994 her husband Martin died. So at the age of 70, she began serving internationally through a series of mission trips—over 22—all around the world. She had a special love for Haiti where she went 8 or more times. She also went to the Dominican Republic and Mexico many times as well as to India, Nepal, The Ukraine, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Montreal. She sponsored many children over the years.

Through the age of 91 she remained active in the First Baptist Church of Wheaton choir as well as in the Awana program working with the youngest group of children.

Jeanne is survived by her children Nellie Strehl (Ed Wittekind) of Winfield, Linda Bliss (Darrell) of Brush Prairie, WA and June Johnson (Stephen) of Ridgefield, WA as well as 7 grandchildren Chelan Bliss (Rob), John Bliss, Matt Strehl, Jess Johnson, Jared Johnson, Rachel Giese (David), and Allison Bliss (Danny Hancock) and 8 great grandchildren Charlotte, Olivia, Abigail and Henry Bliss, Savannah Bliss, and Bryce and Brayden Hancock and John Giese.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings and son-in-law Dr. Frank E. Strehl.

Services for Jeanne Peters will be held on Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Wheaton.  Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 2:00 prior to the service at church.

Donations may be made to New Missions, Haiti Ministries Division, PO Box 2727, Orlando, FL 32802.