Obituaries

JOHN PETE WINTER

It is with great sadness that the Winter family announces the passing of John Winter on March 29, 2025.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Bernice (nee Zotzman), children Tim (Monika), Melissa (Don) and Stewart; and grandkids Kristen (Cole), Kalin; Raven, Shaye, Taai; sister-in-law Marge Winters, sister-in-law Jane Nickel (Gary), sister-in-law Donna Dyck; as well as cousins, nieces & nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Maria (Froese) and David Winter, his sister Lena, brothers David and Jacob, sister-in-law Ann Winter, nephew Robert Winter and granddaughter Jaedra Winter.

Born as the second twin on December 23, 1933, in Kirkella, Manitoba, John moved with his parents in 1937 to a small farm three miles east of Altona. There, he, and his siblings (Lena, Dave, Jack) played hockey on the family farm pond, using tree limb sticks and frozen horse manure as pucks—memories he fondly recounted throughout his life.

After his father’s passing in 1954, the family sold the farm near the Hochstadt Cemetery and moved to Winnipeg, settling on Sherburn Street. John attended the University of Manitoba, where he was enrolled in the Agricultural program. As a young man, he worked various jobs—including driving taxi, hauling sugar beets, and building homes with his Uncle Cornie—to save money for his goal of owning farmland. Eventually, he worked alongside his Uncle Jack Froese on his farm, gaining experience and some financial stability. In the early 60’s, John purchased his first piece of land in Rosser, and in 1968, bought the land ½ mile south of Meadows and started the Winter Seeds yard site. With the financial support of his brothers Dave and Jack, they purchased his uncle’s farm a few years later.

In 1962, John and his twin brother Jack built a cottage in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, though his dedication to farming left little time for summer getaways. Two years later on July 4, 1964, he married Bernice and together they built a life filled with love and hard work. They raised three children—Tim (1965), Melissa (1967), and Stewart (1969)—in the same home where they would spend nearly 61 years together. John had helped construct this very house alongside his Uncle Cornie while saving for his farmland.

Throughout the 1970s, John worked tirelessly to expand the family farm and seed-cleaning business, later launching a crop protection retail (later to become Ag Advantage). His entrepreneurial spirit and determination helped him build & expand both Winter Seeds and Ag Advantage, which became a dynamic part of the local farming community. Farmers and neighbors would often gather there for a cup of coffee—or occasionally something stronger—to discuss crops and life.

Beginning in the early 1990s, John and Bernice embraced the snowbird lifestyle, traveling to Arizona, Florida, and Texas during the winter months. Encouraged by their close friends Bert and Janis Boonstra, they eventually would spent 10-12 weeks each winter enjoying golfing, fishing, dinners, card games and forging friendships that lasted for decades. Many family & friends joined them including the Hoas & Norberg families and too many more to mention.

John remained actively involved in farming well into his later years, driving a combine until nearly 80 years old. He maintained his health and vitality into his late 80s, a testament to his lifelong work ethic and dedication to staying active.

John leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, kindness, integrity and the deep connections he built with family, friends, and his community. He would have been so humbled to hear all the kind words we have received in the last few days. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate his Life will be held at 11am on Saturday April 5, 2025 at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive, Winnipeg.

Topic: Winter Funeral Zoom

Time: Apr 5, 2025 10:45 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

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