Penner, Arthur (1902-1986)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 11 Dec 1986 p. 8

Birth date: 1902

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 8 Jan 1987 p. 11

text of obituary:

ARTHUR PENNER

Arthur Penner was born on Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1902, in Tiege, West Prussia, to Franz and Maria (Rahn) Penner. He was the seventh of nine children. He received little more than an eighth grade education because of his country's involvement in World war I when he would have wanted to go on to school.

He was baptized on his confession of faith by Elder Johannes Penner on Pentecost Sunday in 1918. He joined the Mennonite Church in Ladekopp.

He worked on his father's farm and neighboring farms until he and his brother, Erich, emigrated to the U.S. in 1927. He became a naturalized citizen. He worked as a dairy tester in northern Kansas and also ran a produce station in Whitewater. He became a member of Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater.

In 1934 he rented a farm. About 13 years later he bought his own farm near Furley and lived there until he retired.

On Aug. 30, 1949, he married Rachel Harms. Together they farmed, tended livestock and built a new home. On Feb. 20, 1977, she died suddenly after they had enjoyed more than 27 years together. In 1980 he sold his farm and moved to Newton to live with his sister, Lotte.

For nearly two years before his death, he was an invalid at the Friendly Acres nursing home, Newton. He died on Dec. 5,1986.

Survivors include his sister, Lotte; one brother, Erich and his wife, Frieda, of Whitewater; three sisters-in-law, Metha Penner of Whitewater, Helene Penner of Bad-Olaasloe, West Germany, and Amanda Harms of Newton; and two brothers-in-law, Waldo Harms and Jake Harms and his wife, Edith, of Newton.