Obituary of Peter Isaak Doerksen

Peter Wiens Doerksen died peacefully at the age of 94, on Monday, March 4, 2024, after a short stay at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  He has gone to be with Jesus, his Lord and Saviour.

He will be mourned by his wife of 73 years, Wilma Toews Doerksen, his children Douglas (Sandra), Murray (Linda), Christine, and Heather (David) Cooper, grandchildren Maria (Ike) Unger, Lisa (Mike) Hopcraft, Benjamin (Angela) Doerksen, Jonathan (Becky) Doerksen, Colin (Tasha) Doerksen, Tim (Rachel) Doerksen, Brent (Kayla) Doerksen, Jodie Brown, Jared (Alison) Brown, Joel Brown, Dawson Cooper, Twyla Cooper, Gabby Cooper, and Carly Cooper.  He will also be missed by his 18 great grandchildren.  He is survived by two brothers, Ike Doerksen and Frank Derksen and two sisters, Sara (Frank) Dueck and Phyllis (John) Penner. 

Peter was predeceased by his grandchild Keenan Cooper and his siblings Susan Martens, Tina Neufeld,  Jack Derksen, Elmer Doerksen and Cornie Doerksen, and his parents Isaac F. Doerksen and Susana Wiens Doerksen.

Dad was born in the R.M. of De Salaberry, Manitoba, and attended school at Clearspring and Steinbach.  He left school at 14 to work for Regehr and Sons and then in 1954 for Barkman Hardware.  He started a new business in 1962 called Winnipeg Welding Supplies Ltd.  This involved a move to Winnipeg and proved successful over the next 28 years.

In March 1951 Peter married Wilma Toews and together they moved to Winnipeg, living first in North Kildonan and then Fort Garry.  They were very active in Evangelical Mennonite Churches in Steinbach and Winnipeg and worked at the business together for many years  They were always giving of their time and attention to their children and grandchildren.  When they retired they travelled to Arizona during the winters.

Dad enjoyed  “going to the boys” which meant helping his sons in their businesses, both physically and with sound advice. Over the years he loved golfing and participating in recreational sports with his family. He was a faithful hockey fan, first listening by radio, then watching on TV and later, even into his 90’s, going to Jets games. Dad served on many committees at church and on the board at his condo. He was a founding member of the FGEMC and EMC Project Builders and served on the board of the Manitoba Paraplegic Association (now SPIMan) for a time. His faith could be seen in how he conducted his business, raised his family and gave to his church community. His integrity, generosity, consideration for others and easy laugh made him a mentor and friend to many.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church, 602 Pasadena Ave., Winnipeg, MB. with  viewing prior to the service. To join the family via livestream, click HERE prior to the service.

Interment will take place on Wednesday March 13, 2024, at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Peter may be made to EMC Project Builders - Learn more.