Irene Peters

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Irene went home to be with her Lord and Savior very peacefully on November 27, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. To God be the glory for a life well lived. Her eternal reward has come.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Gerald Peters, daughter Candace and husband Calvin and their children, son Shaun and wife Melissa and their children, daughter Jolene and husband Serge and their children, her mother Helena Thiessen, her six brothers and one sister and their families, many aunts and uncles, cousins and close friends.

Irene was born on May 22, 1954, to parents Cornelius Thiessen and Helena Thiessen. When Irene was nine months old, her parents moved as a family from Mexico to Manitoba. 

Irene was the oldest of eight children. Irene's dad was a truck driver, and her mother was a fulltime homemaker. As a young child, Irene had an insatiable desire to read her Bible and to live a life that would be pleasing to her maker. Irene had a natural ability to pick good friends and to enjoy life even though family circumstances did not always support her desires. Irene was baptized at about 16 years of age. She took that step of faith seriously. Her plumb line for the rest of her life was the Bible. 

In January 1972 her parents sent her to school in Gretna Manitoba. She was in grade 12. Irene was very much into sports and in particular basketball. In spring of 1972 she met a guy (Gerald Peters) who she would marry on April 5, 1975. After the 2nd year of marriage, Irene and Gerald had the opportunity to purchase a truck and spent the next few years driving the roads of North America. What an adventure that was.

In 1979, daughter Candace was born. Irene was now off the road and became a full-time mother and homemaker. In 1984, son Shaun was born. In 1986, daughter Jolene was born. Although times were tough during those early years with a family. Irene made a very deliberate decision to be a stay-at-home mom.

A decision she has never regretted. Her children were her most precious possession. As Irene was raising the family she continued to quench her thirst for God's Word. Irene would read the Bible stories to the kids, tuck them into bed at night after prayer time with the kids. And then keep praying and reading. Irene’s constant spiritual alertness and attentiveness to the children has been rewarded with three wonderful spouses and fourteen “gems” that she calls grandchildren. These kids all have been so special to her.

In 2014 Irene and Gerald again bought a truck and set off to travel the continent. Irene spent approximately 10 years on the road. She also took time away from the truck to spend time with the kids and grandkids.

Irene had a love for flowers and had a knack for planting and arranging flower beds. Irene was very much an outdoor person. Loved to take long walks, especially while they lived in Minneapolis for two years.

Irene has always had a heart and a mission to pray for and live out her faith to be an example to her siblings. She loved her brothers and sister dearly.

Since July of 2019 Irene and Gerald have owned a property in Marchand. Irene often called the yard her little paradise. In this last fall Gerald has often seen Irene walking around on the yard with her arms up toward heaven praising God and thanking him for his goodness, in spite of the fact that she was aware of her health issue.

During this last spring and summer Irene had some amazing experiences with her family. For Irene's 70th birthday we went to play laser tag in Winnipeg as a family. How many 70-year-old Grandma's can boast that?! Then when we came home Gerald surprised her with a gift that again not many grandmas would get. An electric chainsaw. In July she celebrated her life by getting matching Tattoos with her daughters Candace and Jolene which will be cherished always. John 10:10 says “I have come that they may have life and have it have it abundantly” Irene enjoyed every minute of the life that God gave her to its fullest.

When Irene's youngest grandson Sawyer was born prematurely, Irene spent the better part of 3 months looking after Willow the next oldest to Sawyer. Another example of Irene's labor of love 

Irene enjoyed going out for breakfast and coffee. This was a trait that she acquired from her dad. Irene would drop everything to help her kids or grandkids, even if it inconvenienced her. Irene always had a way of bringing humor in stressful or challenging times.

Irene last months was spent searching God for her healing. Her faith never faltered even when the hard news of her condition was confirmed. Her resolve to be in the Word and to live life to the fullest has had a profound impact on Gerald and the kids. 

As a family we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Irene with such passion. God bless them all.

Irene’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Crossings Funeral Care in Steinbach Manitoba.

For those of you unable to attend, the family wishes to invite you to join them on livestream.

Written and submitted by Gerald Peters

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene's memory to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Canada.