Abram F. Penner

Mennonite Genealogy with Michael Penner

Abram F. Penner (1905-1991)

Obituary from The Messenger, Vol. 29 No. 19 Oct 11, 1991, p.9-10

Abram Friesen Penner

1905- 1991

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:5,4).

Another pilgrimage has successfully ended. The desired homeland has been entered. Our father, Abram Friesen Penner, was born in Sunny Slope, Alberta, September 7, 1905, and died Sunday, September 15, at the age of 86 years and eight days. His death occurred at the Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, Man., where he was recovering from surgery on his aorta, because of an aneurism. The reported immediate cause of death was "cardiac arrest."

Our dad was the second child of Peter Martin and Mary (nee Friesen) Penner. The parents to our father had proved their homestead in Alberta, and approximately a year after our father's birth, they, with their two children, moved back to Manitoba. They made their home in a farming area which for years was known as Prairie Rose, and more recently, Landmark.

In early manhood, our father came to a clear understanding of his spiritual need. How long he wrestled with this need we do not know. But that he came to a fixed, personal faith in Jesus Christ during that time because apparent to all who knew him. On the basis of this faith, he asked for and received believer's baptism. This occurred on May 26, 1926, and was performed by Elder Peter P. Reimer. In this act he also submitted himself to the larger brotherhood in becoming a member of the Kleine Gemeinde, now the Evangelical Mennonite Church. He remained a faithful and active member of this congregation for the rest of his earthly life.

Our dad found a caring and dedicated helpmate in our natural mother, Mary, the daughter of the local pastor, Minister H.R. and Mrs. Reimer. Our mother and father were married on October 28. 1927. They shared their married companionship and faith for over fifty years. Although our mother had struggled with cancer for a number of years, both parents were delighted to be able, by the grace of our heavenly Father, to celebrate their Golden Wedding, in 1977. However, this beautiful companionship was not to last long after this. Mother died December 17, 1978.

To this union were born, Herbert, Mildred, Edgar, Wilmer, Leslie, Ronald, and Dennis.

Although anticipated for some time, the death of his spouse, Mary, was a time of testing and reorientation. However, instead of floundering spiritually, Father grew in his commitment and passion for the Lord's work. Some time later he found a new companionship in the widow, Mrs. Pauline (nee Friesen) Reimer, of Kola, Manitoba. They were married on February 16, 1980. This new and successful relationship, although not without times of difficulty because of Pauline's illness, ended with her death on October 11, 1989.

Our father early became a hard and willing worker, as well as an enterprising youth and young man. His life showed vitality and enthusiasm, as well as concern and faith. He seemed to have energy without measure. His skills were numerous. He seemed to enjoy all the enterprises he attempted. Problems were to be overcome, not evaded.

He was a farmer all his life. For more than two decades he was also a lumberman and sawyer. He served on the Manitoba Broiler Marketing Board. He made his mark on Western Gospel Mission, both as a director and an active participant in the activity of the mission. At least twice he went to Paraguay as a board member and participant in phases of directing the work of the Paraguay mission on the field. Steinbach Bible College, too, was one of his concerns as director and actual participant in the moving of the campus and the initial building of the school at its present location.

When Red Rock lake Bible Camp was built, he, in company with his brothers, was at the forefront in making it possible.

However, we are rather sure that our dad hardly would have wanted us to say all this. And yet, we are sharing these things as a witness to the grace of God and an encouragement to other children of God. Our father's commitment to his loving Lord, his consuming desire to do His will, his concern for the salvation of people, especially his own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and his steadfast and controlling desire to be the best husband, father and grandparent, despite his confessed failures, eclipsed all else in his life.

There are thoughts, expressed by our dad particularly during his time in the hospital, which we will not forget. He clearly gave us to understand that, while willing to remain, he was also ready to leave. He desired to meet his Lord. He said, "No one will ever know how much I love my family."

We, as family, sorrow and rejoice at the same time. We rejoice, because after a life of comparatively good health, and an effective witness and service as a Christian, our father is now delighting in his desired life with his Lord and those who have preceded him into the glories which God had prepared for him. We sorrow, because in this life we shall see him no more. We will not feel his smile or hear his word of encouragement and admonition. We will miss him, a father indeed, one who loved us and whom we loved.

We, the family, mourn the too early passing of Dad, even though he was 86 years old but we do so with joy and hope. Left to mourn are Herbert and Martha Penner (Calgary, Alberta), Mildred and Ralph Reimer (Landmark), Edgar and Ellen Penner (Kola), Wilmer and Sheila Penner (Steinbach), Leslie Penner (Kola), Ronald and Ruth Penner (Newport News, Virginia), and Dennis and Agnes Penner (Toronto), and their families, 28 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Also left to mourn their stepfather, the family of our dad's second wife, are Vernon and Helen Reimer (Clearbrook, B.C.), Norma and Abe Martens (Kola), Helen and Jake Martens (Kola), Katherine and Peter Klassen (Denver, Colorado), and their families.

Two brothers, Walter (Landmark), and Archie (Steinbach), and two sisters, Ruby Plett and husband Archie (Landmark) and Hazel Satey (Edmonton), and one aunt, Esther (nee Friesen) Schmidt, also survive our dad.

Preceding Father in death were his daughter-in-law Beverly (nee Letkeman) Penner, the late spouse of son Leslie; two brothers and two sisters, David, Norman, Carolyn Reimer and Tina Reimer; one grandson, Trevor, son of Ronald and Ruth, and one great-grandson, Lucas, son of Kim and Bruce Penner.

The family is very grateful for the support and comfort given to Dad, particularly by the church and community in these last years. God bless you all!

The Family ■

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