Ert Peters

Obituary

On Friday, June 29, 2018, our loss was heaven’s gain. Erdman (Ert) W. Peters, after a brief illness at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, slipped away peacefully in his sleep to join his beloved daughter in heaven.

Born in Steinbach, Manitoba on August 7, 1932, Ert grew up in a busy farmstead with eight siblings. Being one of the youngest of the siblings and having to share a bed with his younger brother Gil, Ert was typically referred to as one of the “little boys”. Ert’s mom passed away in 1935. Shortly after his father’s remarriage, Ert moved out to start his own married life.

Ert married the love of his life, Shirley Catherine Sawatzky, after a seven-year courtship, on July 22, 1955. Shirley was a great influence on Ert. During their courtship and when marriage was being contemplated, Shirley insisted that Ert become a Christian before she would consider getting married. This resulted in a decision that shaped the rest of Ert’s life and, in fact, ultimately his eternal life. Ert became a Christian in 1950 and began a lifelong dedication to Jesus and to the church.

Family was valued beyond measure by Ert. He and Shirley began their family in 1960 with the birth of their firstborn daughter, Sheryl D’Anne. In 1965 their family was completed with the birth of their daughter, Gaylyn Joanne. In the early years, the family spent much time at Falcon Lake playing on the beach and doing water sports. Ert and the family were devastated with the tragic and untimely passing of their daughter Gaylyn. This loss was something that Ert lamented right until his own passing.

Ert was a well-known figure in the Steinbach business community. As the owner of the Texaco and then Esso bulk fuel station, Ert prided himself in providing his customers with the best service possible. Ert retired from his business in 1997. Shortly after “retiring”, Ert took on the responsibility for the maintenance of several local business buildings. This arrangement remained in place until earlier this year.

Since being baptized early in his adult life, Ert was a faithful member of the Cornerstone Bible Church. He treasured the church and volunteered countless hours. He contributed in numerous ways, from serving as a deacon to cooking for the regular men’s prayer breakfast. He could always be counted on to assist in any way required.

Ert was a member of the Steinbach Volunteer Fire Department from 1960 until 1991. During all but the earliest eight years, he served as the Fire Chief. He was the longest serving chief in Steinbach’s history. Ert was well respected for his dedication and for his quiet but effective leadership skills. The only memorabilia in Ert’s recreation room was fire department memorabilia.

Participating in the sports and activities he enjoyed with friends and family was always important to Ert. As a member of Steinbach Fly In Golf Course, Ert loved to challenge the course and his friends in playing the game he loved. After retiring from his fuel business, Ert was known to golf in excess of a hundred rounds in one season. The Fishermen Six were a group of friends that would annually go on a fishing trip. Family hunting trips were also an annual occurrence. The trophy antlers adorned even his living room, much to his wife’s dismay.

Having grown up in a large family, Ert valued those relationships. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter Gaylyn, his parents Jacob and Maria Peters, his step-mom Tina, his siblings Tina and Elmer, Henry, Edmar, Aurelia and her husband Menno (sibling in-law), Marie, Art (sibling in-law), and Albert (sibling in-law).

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Shirley, his daughter Sherri and her husband Wayne Sutter, his siblings, Annie, Jake and Rose, Ellen and Ed, Gil and Anne, Linda (sibling in-law) and their families.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Ert Peters, will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with a viewing prior to the service. The burial will follow the lunch at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

If friends desire, donations in memory of Ert may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10 – 120 Donald Street; Wpg., MB R3C 4G2 or Cornerstone Bible Church (in memo line: mission fund), 290 1st St, Steinbach MB R5G 0T5.