PLAUDIS Peter Plaudis passed away on October 12, 2005 at the age of 85 years. Peter was born in Latvia on January 01, 1920. He grew up on the family farm until WWII when he entered the German army to defend Latvia from the Soviet invasion of 1944 and 1945. After the war Peter was interned in a POW camp in Europe for nine months until his release with displaced person status. With the subsequent annexation of Latvia by the Soviets, Peter was unable to return to his home. In England Peter found employment and it is there that he met his wife of 55 years, Doreen. Peter and Doreen married on September 30, 1950 and in March of 1951 sailed to Canada to start their new life together. They both worked on a ranch in Saskatchewan before coming to Red Deer in 1953. Peter attained his heavy duty mechanic certification but decided against working away from his family and joined the nursing program at Michener Center where he was employed for 27 years. His empathetic and caring nature ensured the love of many of the residents and a deep respect from his co-workers. Previous residents visited Peter for many years after his retirement. Peter’s dream of owning a farm was realized in 1963 when he and Doreen purchased 147 acres west of Red Deer. Peter loved farming and raised cattle and grew barley for many years. He loved the excitement of the fall harvest, the golden fields and the combines running into the night. Peter retired from Michener Center in 1980 and enjoyed 25 years of farming. He helped with building homes for both of his daughters and enjoyed long walks in the country with his beloved dog Yaska. Peter was able to travel back to Latvia on four occasions and visit with the family that he had been separated from for 50 years. Peter was a kind, honest, direct and very strong person. He was a devoted husband and loving and supportive father. His family was everything. There were many special years as a family travelling to horse shows and Peter enjoyed watching both of his daughters and later his granddaughter compete with their horses. He was a willing volunteer and gave time and labour to the sport of Three Day Eventing and the Red Deer Pony Club. Peter is mourned by his wife Doreen, his daughter Ingrid Plaudis-Bowie and son-in-law Shane Bowie, his daughter Kathryn Plaudis-O’Connell and son-in-law Liam O’Connell, his sister Mirdza Perro in Latvia and several nieces and nephews and his beloved granddaughter Alanna Bowie, who was the light of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (#101, 5208 – 53 Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 5K2). Thank you to the nurses and staff of both Unit 33 and 35 of the Red Deer Regional Hospital and a special thanks to Dr. H.K. Boake for his care and friendship to Peter for many years. A Celebration of Peter’s life will be held at the family farm from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, the 29 of October. Please call 396-2679 for directions. E-mail condolences may be sent to condolences@reddeer funeralhome.com and will be forwarded directly to the family.