Eric Peters
Obituary
Eric Heinz Peters, age 81, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday, June 25, 2026, following a four-month battle with cancer.
Eric is survived by his wife Joyce (Birmingham/McIntyre), children Michelle (Russ) Bezditny, Brad (Kelly) McIntryre, Jennifer (Jeremy) Janzen, Brenda (Darian) Brown, grandchildren Alexa, Renae, and Lauren (Michelle and Russ), Shannon (Brad and Kelly), Juniper, Jude, and Jubilee (Jennifer and Jeremy), Justus, Acacia, Selah, and Eden (Brenda and Darian), siblings Vic (Sylvia) Peters, Clara (Ray) Sawatzky, Edwin (Valrea) Peters, Harold (Juanita) Peters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from the Klassen/Friesen and Birmingham/McIntyre families, and other extended family members.
He is predeceased by his daughter Leanne, wife Rose (Klassen), mother Gertrude (Krahn), father Henry, and second mother, Jessie (Peters).
Eric was born on January 24, 1945, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Henry and Gertrude Peters. He was their firstborn child. Eric grew up on the farm and at a very young age, his dedication to farming took root as he began working on the fields and tending to the dairy cattle. This dedication continued his life-long.
Eric attended Moray School from grade one to eight. This was a one-room schoolhouse. Moray was one and a half miles away from Eric’s home. He would have to walk or take horse sleigh (in the winter) or cutter (in the summer) to school. Eric had many fond memories during his time at Moray. He enjoyed being mischievous and playing tricks with his friends on their teachers. Eric often liked to share a story about the time they locked a teacher out of the room where they were playing hockey. Instead of stopping, they kept playing and didn’t return to class until the game was finished, well after class had already begun.
Eric played baseball and hockey, attended church and youth groups, always bringing fun and competition to every activity and event. He loved to have fun – another quality that lasted his lifetime. These were very formative years for Eric, filled with a strong and deep foundation of friendships.
When Eric was 14 years old, his mother, Gertrude became ill and passed away after a short five-month battle with leukemia. Eric often told the story of the last time he visited his mom. She was in the hospital and none of her children were allowed inside to see her. Instead, she stood by the window, waving to her four young children from afar. They waved back before turning and heading home, not knowing that would be the last time they would see their mother. The final words Eric remembers his mother saying to him were, “The Lord bless you and keep you.” Those words stayed with him and guided him throughout his life.
A year and a half after Gertrude’s death, Henry married Jessie Peters. Jessie found herself caring for four children, instantly taking on the role of a mother. She was a gracious and kind woman who embraced her new family wholeheartedly. Together, she and Henry had one child, Harold, who became Eric’s youngest sibling.
Eric attended Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) during his high school years. His fondness for playing pranks on others continued. Another story Eric loved to share was about a teacher with poor eyesight. During recess, he slipped a cat into a classmate’s desk drawer. When class began, the student sat down and opened the drawer – out sprang the cat, darting across the room and leaping out the window. The teacher didn’t notice a thing, while the rest of the class burst into laughter.
In grade ten, Eric took a year off school to stay home and manage the farm while his father recovered from back surgery. This marked a significant period of responsibility for Eric and became the beginning of his lifelong role as a leader on the family farm. The following year, Eric returned to MCI to complete his schooling. After graduation, he spent one year at Elim Bible College.
A pivotal moment in Eric’s spiritual life came when he was 17. He was the first to arrive at the scene of a fatal car accident; an experience that deeply impacted him and changed the course of his life. Just a few days later, Eric made a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus.
Eric had the opportunity to buy his own dairy farm from his neighbours – the Lepps – in 1967 when he was 22 years old. He farmed on his own for three years and then in 1970 he formed a partnership with his dad Henry, and his brother Vic. That same year the partnership decided to diversify; and they built a hog barn on Eric’s yard and he became the manager of the hog division. They kept the name Henervic Farms, combining the names of its owners – Henry, Eric, and Vic. Eric lived by the motto, “Don’t let the sun set until all is settled,” and he credited the farm’s success to the strong working relationships within his family and their commitment to that principle.
On August 2, 1968, Eric married Rose Klassen, the love of his life, whom he met through the youth group at Steinbach Mennonite Church. Rose, a registered nurse, shared Eric’s passion for bowling, and they spent many hours each week enjoying the sport together. They also served as youth leaders at SMC and cherished their life on the farm.
The arrival of their three daughters – Michelle, Leanne, and Jennifer – brought immense joy and energy into their home. He made it a priority to finish work by 5:00 p.m. each day, ensuring he could devote meaningful, uninterrupted time to his family, coaching sports, community involvement, and church. Eric was a playful and devoted father who shared his love of fun and adventure with his children. Family life was filled with camping trips, three-wheeler rides, snow tubing, combine and tractor adventures, hosting friends, church activities, and Friday night skating at the Randolph rink.
In 1983, Eric’s daughter Leanne was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of ten. The months that followed were very intense with cancer treatments. Leanne’s passing on October 12 of that same year brought a profound loss that forever changed Eric, leaving a lasting impact on his life. Until his final breath, Eric became easily emotional when talking about Leanne’s illness, death, and how the impact of losing a child was like no other.
Shortly after Leanne’s passing, Eric’s wife Rose was diagnosed with recurrent melanoma. When Rose was first diagnosed in 1977, Eric prayed that God would grant her five more years so he would not have to face raising their three young children alone. God answered his prayer. Eight years were granted – three extra years than what he had asked for. On June 18, 1985, Rose passed away. Eric carried on with tremendous strength and resilience, holding tightly to his faith and caring for his family.
As time went on, Eric began to long for companionship and help in raising Michelle and Jennifer. It was during this time that he met the second love of his life, Joyce, a widowed mother with two children, Brad and Brenda. Eric and Joyce were introduced to each other by mutual friends. On October 25, 1986, they were married and this was the beginning of their blended family.
Eric and Joyce lived a life marked by adventure and heartfelt hospitality. Their home was more than just a place, it was a refuge where people were received with warmth, kindness, and generosity. Their door was always open, welcoming friends and neighbours alike without hesitation. Together they shared a deep love of travel, exploring the world side by side.
Eric took great pride in his 11 grandchildren. His gift of play and adventure is what they will remember most as he bonded with them over four-wheeler rides, “no bears out tonight”, hayrides, card games, sleepovers, tubing, fireworks, wiener roasts, and an abundance of cackling laughter. Eric was intentional about showing up for his grandchildren, faithfully attending their events and cheering them on every step of the way. His competitive spirit was always present, even as he bowled with his grandchildren. It was hard for him to lose. It was amazing to observe him in his final days, even when he was struggling, to see his eyes light up for each grandchild as they came to reminisce together and say goodbye.
Eric remained deeply committed to his community throughout his life. He found great joy in managing the Steinbach Whips baseball team and most recently, leaving his legacy of the Henervic Trail. He used his visionary and leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in the community by serving on various Boards. Eric had a direct approach and was always very decisive. One of Eric’s final passions was to develop a large-scale senior housing project in Steinbach. This project became known as Bridgepark Village and Bridgepark Manor. His optimism and willingness to give of his time, energy, and financial support impacted lives locally and globally.
“Actions speak louder than words” was a phrase that Eric reflected on in his final days as he looked back on his life. He was humbled to realize how many opportunities God had given him to touch people’s lives. Messages and stories poured in through visits, texts, emails, and phone calls, and each one deeply moved him.
A couple months before Eric’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, he came down the stairs one morning and commented to Joyce, “My work on earth is done”. God was speaking to him before he even knew what was to come. In Eric’s final months, weeks, and days, his faith sustained him through the good days and the tough days. His love for people and connection was what energized him and made a hard morning turn into a good day through the countless visits. He also spent his final weeks with trips to the farm, crop tours, recording his life story, and going for one more ice-cream sundae at his favourite ice-cream shops in Manitoba. He was able to share his last encouraging words, loving wishes, and goodbyes with family and friends closest to him. We thank God for the time He gave Eric to end well.
Eric’s life sustaining verse was “Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10. Through the joys and hardships of grief and loss, and the curveballs of life that came his way, Eric kept this verse close to his heart. He continued facing forward with determination and strength, making the most of each day, until his last breath. What an inspiration. What a legacy. He will be deeply missed, always remembered, and forever loved.
Words cannot express our gratitude for the overwhelming amount of love and support that we have received as a family.
There will be a private interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach.
The celebration of Eric’s life will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m. at Crossview Church, 345 Loewen Boulevard, Steinbach, MB.
