MENNO PENNER

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MENNO PENNER It is with great sadness and love that we say goodbye to Menno Penner who passed away at the Swan Valley Hospital on March 29, 2014, following a brief struggle caused by a hematoma. He reached the age of 86 years and 10 months. Menno was born to John D. Penner and Katherine Loewen Penner on May 27, 1927 at Rosenort, Manitoba. He grew up in a large family on his father's farm and attended school in Rosenort. In December 1942 he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized by Minister G. F. Goossem into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. He stayed true to his vows until the end. In August 1950 he married Pauline Esau from Crooked Creek, AB sharing 63 wonderful years of marriage together. They settled into farming in Rosenort where their home was soon blessed with four children. In 1968 the family moved to Swan River Valley and continued grain farming in the Crestview area. He also ran a small hog production for many years. He retired in 1991 but continued to help his son with the harvest for many years. Several other families also moved that year and a new congregation was established. In 2000 they moved into the Town of Swan River where he resided until his passing. Menno was a loving, generous and sociable man who made many friends and acquaintances. He was a hardworking man who provided well for his family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends, neighbours and the community. He loved to travel, enjoyed fishing, doing puzzles, and spending time with family and friends. He will be most often remembered as always having a pocket full of candy for everyone he met or a coin for little children. He is survived by his beloved wife Pauline; son Cliff (Tammy); daughter Jennie; son-in-law Jose Arroyo; grandchildren Kaylyn (Estuardo) Figueroa, Chris (Kimbre), Jeff (Danielie), Jolene (David) Loomis, Randy (Shyla), Justin (Candace), Patrick, and Kurtis (Montana); 15 great-grandchildren; brothers George (Martha), Gladwin (Ella), Leonard (Evelyn), Johnny (Naomi), Melvin (Elvera), Ken (Darlene), Wayne (Phyllis), Rick (Karen), and Darrell (Carolyn); sisters Vera Nightengale, Dolores Miller, and Janet (James) Goossen; brothers-in-law Alvie (Rozella) Esau, Wilbert Esau, Lee (Naomi) Hiebert, and Bert (Rosalyn) Penner; sisters-in-law Priscilla Reimer, Mildred (Harvey) Cardinal, Esther Penner, Naomi Penner, Frances Goossen and Doris Esau, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as extended family. He was predeceased by his daughter Kathy and son Virgil; father, mother and stepmother; four brothers and five sisters; father and mother-in-law; eight brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. Funeral service was held on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from the Swan River Valley Mennonite Church with Mr. Dennis Barkman officiating. Active pallbearers were Menno's grandsons. Menno was laid to rest following the service in the Riverside Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Health Sciences Centre - GA5 and the Swan Valley Health Centre for their kindness and care and all family and friends for their love and support. Should friends so desire, memorial donations in Menno's honour may be made to the Swan Valley Health Facilities. Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium was honoured to have served the family.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 12, 2014