Leander S. Peters, 82, a resident of the Verboort community died Saturday morning, September 8, 2012 at his home.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Visitation Catholic Church; 4285 NW Visitation Road in Verboort.

Rite of Christian Burial and Vault interment will take place at Visitation Catholic Cemetery.

A reception will be provided for family and friends held in the parish center.

Leander Sylvester Peters was born to Albert and Catherine (Hillecke) Peters on December 9, 1929, at the family farm in Verboort, one of thirteen children. He attended grade school and high school at Visitation School. He spent his youth helping on the family farm.

On March 30, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Braukman in South Carolina while enlisted in the US Army. He spent a portion of his service stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

After returning home to the Forest Grove area, he started farming, and later worked in construction. He built many spec homes for Gaylord Shively in the Tillamook area, and Myron Sheelar; and eventually teamed up with his brother, Kenneth, to start Peters Brothers Construction building several custom homes in the area. His expertise included drawing the plans for the custom homes.

In the 1970’s he purchased farmland in the Forest Grove and Verboort areas and spent his time raising pigs, harvesting grain, farming prunes, and leasing several filbert orchards. Working on the farm was always a family affair teaching his daughters to drive the tractor, drive grain trucks, and more. He retired from farming in the mid-nineties.

He loved spending time with his family watching it grow to include eleven grandchildren and, more recently, two great-granddaughters. He was expecting two more—twins—a boy and a girl in November.

He took up golf in the sixties when Sunset Grove course was developed; and was an avid golfer until his stroke. He was so proud of his three hole-in-ones, serving as Men’s Club president, and winning the Club Championship. He was proud of his handicap that got as low as nine. He also enjoyed playing cards.

Another hobby was growing watermelons that he would proudly share with family and friends. Most of all he enjoyed the eleven grandchildren and showing them around the farm.

He was a member of Visitation Parish; and spent many years mashing the potatoes served at the annual Verboort Sausage dinner.

He spent the last six years in the Wynwood Retirement facility after suffering a stroke in 2004. He was considered a character by his caregivers and other residents. He continued to enjoy outings to Forest Hills Golf Course where he’d check up on his buddies.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy, and five daughters—Lyndel Peters of Beaverton; Renae and Dave Ooley of Forest Grove; Laura and Gerry Romjue of North Plains; Karen and Ron Ooley of Forest Grove; and Susan and Pete Lepschat of Forest Grove. His grandchildren include Dustin and Aron Ooley; Chelsie and Ashley Romjue, Holly (and Mike) Draper, and Bradley Romjue; MacKenzie (and Jim) Peters, Caitlin and Mitch Ooley; and Andy and Scott Lepschat. He has two great-granddaughters—Addison Romjue and Sawyer Peters. Leander’s death was preceded by the loss of two children, Paula and Jay Paul; his parents—Albert and Catherine; and siblings, Barbara, Stanley, and Frances (Tats). He has nine surviving siblings—Anna Marie, Norbert, Wilfred, Bernadette, Helen, Laurence, Paul, Kenneth, and Kathleen.

Memorial contributions can be made to Visitation Catholic Cemetery; 1960 NE Harewood Pl, Hillsboro, OR 97124