Penner, Edward (1873-1944)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Mar 21 p. 14

Birth date: 1873 Feb 15

text of obituary:

Edward Penner wurde am 15. Februar 1873, zu Warnau bei Marienburg, West-Preußen geboren. Seine Eltern waren Heinrich und Marie Penner, geb. Penner. Seinen Schulunterricht empfing er in der dortigen Bezirksschule. Von seinen Eltern in dem Worte Gottes unterwiesen, fühlte er das Verlangen sich taufen zu lassen, und mit dem Herrn den Gnadenbund zu schließen. Er wurde am Pfingstfest, den 26. Mai, 1890, auf das Bekenntnis seiner Sünden und des Glaubens von seinem Vater getauft und in die Gemeinde des Herrn aufgenommen. Nachdem sein Vater im Dezember 1890 gestorben, kam er mit seiner Mutter und seinen Geschwistern im Sommer 1891 nach Beatrice. Hier widmete er sich dem landwirtschaftlichen Beruf und war eine Reihe von Jahren bei Onkel und Tante Johannes Goossen tätig. 1901 begann er seine eigene Wirtschaft und zog zu seinen Geschwistern Andreas Penner, wo er bis an sein Lebensende verblieb, und mit ihnen Freude und Leid teilte. Der treue Gott hat es an seinem Gnadenzug nicht fehlen lassen. Vor etwa zwei Jahren hatte er einen großen Unfall. Der Herr half ihm zur Besserung und er erfreute sich verhältnismäßig guter Gesundheit, bis er am 26. Februar abends plötzlich erkrankte und der Herr ihn schon am 27sten früh morgens aus diesem Leben abrief um wie wir hoffen bei seinem Heiland und Erlöser zu sein. Er wurde 71 J. und 13 Tage alt und wird betrauert von 2 Schwestern und 4 Brüdern, von seinen Nichten und Neffen, und vielen Freunden.

Mir is Erbarmungen wiederfahren,
     Erbarmung deren ich nicht wert!
Das zähl’ ich zu dem Wunderbaren;
     Mein stolzes Herz hat’s nie begehrt.
Nun weiß ich das, und bin erfreut,
     Und rühme die Barmherzigkeit.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Mar 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

EDWARD PENNER

Edward Penner was born on February 14, 1873, at Warman, near Marienburg, West Prussia. His parents were Heinrich and Marie Penner, nee Penner. He received his elementary training in a local school.

Having been instructed by his parents in the Word of God he expressed his desire of entering into a covenant with his Lord. On Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1890, he was baptized by his father upon the confession of sins and a confession of Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was received into the membership of the Mennonite Church.

Following the death of his father in December 1890, he came to America with his mother, brothers and sisters, and settled near Beatrice, Nebr. For some years he stayed with the Johannes Goossen family. In 1901 he began farming for himself while living with his brother Andreas and family. For over 40 years he lived with them, sharing both their joys and sorrows. About two years ago he was involved in a serious accident, from which the Lord granted a marvellous [sic marvelous] recovery. He enjoyed fairly good health until Saturday evening, February 26, when he suddenly became ill. Early Sunday morning, February 27, the Lord called him from this life to be with his Savior and Redeemer. He attained the age of 71 years and 13 days. Mourning his departure are two sisters, four brothers, nieces and nephews, and many relatives and friends.

What mercy and divine compassion
Has God in Christ revealed to me!
My haughty spirit would not ask it,
Yet He bestowed it full and free.
In God my heart doth now rejoice:
I praise His grace with grateful voice.

The funeral for Edward Penner was held March 1 from the Harmon and Johnson Funeral Home, Beatrice, Nebr. Rev. Walter H. Dyck read Ps. 63: 1 – 7 and spoke words of comfort (Ps. 17:15) to relatives and friends. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Asleep in Jesus” were sung by a girls’ quartet composed of Gertrude Claassen, Margaret Goossen, Irene and Martha Thimm, accompanied by Frieda Claassen.

Further services were held from the First Mennonite Church at Beatrice. “So nimm denn, meine Hande” and “Abide With Me” were sung by the quartet. Rev. C. Penner gave the German message on Matt. 24: 44. Rev. Dyck spoke on the “Certainty and Joy of the Resurrection of Christ” (I Cor. 15:30).

Interment was in the church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Mar 14 p. 14