Peter M. Penner Obituaries

Mennonite Genealogy with Michael Penner

Peter M. Penner (1880-1936) Obituaries

Obituary from Botschafter der Wahrheit, 15 March 1936, p.13-14

Father Peter M. Penner, my dear husband, was born in Blumenort, Manitoba, on June 30, 1880. When he was 16 years old, he was led by the spirit of God to atonement and turned himself over to his Redeemer, and through baptism he joined as a member of the church fellowship. On his journey through his earthly life, he met some difficult storms, but in weakness he adhered to his Lord to the end.

On January 26, 1902, he found his life’s companion in me, Maria Friesen. We were granted 34 years to jointly carry joy and suffering. Seven children were born to us, 5 sons and 2 daughters; we also have 2 daughters we accepted as our own children. There are 15 grandchildren; the children and grandchildren are all alive. He leaves me, a displaced, mourning widow, 5 sons, 4 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 6 brothers, 3 sisters, 2 uncles, an aunt and many friends, who mourn his death, but not as those who do not have hope, because we hope and believe in eternal reunion in Heaven. My intimately loved husband and father got sick on Wednesday, February 12. Since his situation worsened so much, the physician was called, and after his consultation, father was brought to Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg. We as a family entrusted ourselves and father in prayer into God’s Hand. In the hospital he was operated on immediately, which however, did not have the desired success. Thus he went for a second operation. That also did not have success. For all that his suffering became ever more intense, and he suffered very great pain. A special nurse served him very well. At the request of father in his great distress, also our desire was as a family, some prayers were lifted up to God. He was fully consciousness nearly the whole time. Then after a very heavy night he passed away in the morning of February 19, 1936 at 7 o'clock at Concordia Hospital. He lived to 55 years, 8 months and 10 days. I and my children, also three of his brothers and other friends were at his deathbed. He said about two hours before he died, “I will soon now overcome”. His desire was to be redeemed. The funeral celebration was held at the Greenland meeting house on February 22. Brother J. T. Wiebe made the introduction. Brother G.F. Giesbrecht selected the text, Chr. 29:15 and Rom. 6:23. The brothers J. F. Barkman and P. A. Penner made concluding remarks. The grievers went to the Prairie Rose cemetery for the burial.

     Over morning flowers and shines the flower,
     And drops often already in the evening.
     Thus sinks with his luck and glory,
     Humans, ever he think, in the grave,
     And soul, misused so easily
     A life, which so fast distance-shine.

The mourning wife and children. ■

Obituary from the Steinbach Post, 26 February 1936, p. 4

Steinbach, Manitoba: February 22. Send to my friends, relatives, acquaintances and all readers of this paper a greeting of love with the wish that this would find the dear readers in good health and well-being. Since so much of illness and deaths is to be read, I wanted to report also of a case of our close relative, i.e. concerning our nephews Peter M. Penner, who lived 16 or 17 miles north of Steinbach. So much as I know, he was usually healthy. He got sick with appendicitis probably Wednesday in the evening and it was at once so severe that the physician was called.

The physician ordered that Penner should be brought immediately to the hospital. Friday, the 14th, in the morning he was brought as a patient to the hospital in Winnipeg, where he was also immediately operated on. For four days until Wednesday 7 a.m., he had agonizing pain without much easing between until at five minutes before seven on Wednesday he crossed into the next world in good hope. His wife and some of his brothers remained with him from the outset also in the heavy days or hours up to his course home.

Today, the 22nd, was the funeral. I as the uncle in closest proximity, drove with our brother and servant Jack. F. Barkmann to Greenland, where the funeral was held. Although the prayer hall is not small, it nevertheless was nearly overcrowded with mourning guests despite a snowstorm. A heavy pain for the dear sister and wife and children! His age was 55 year, 8 months and 10 days.

Rest his ashes, God wants the abandoned widow and orphaned children to mourn and be comforted in their lonely hours. Greeting to all and particularly to unmarried ones and lonely ones of your friend and brother united in love.

Peter B. Toews ■