Penner, Helena (1893-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Nov 28 p. 29

Birth date: 1893 Mar 08

text of obituary:

MRS. HELENA PENNER

Helena Penner was born on March 8, 1893 in Kronsthal, South Russia to Rev. Peter and Katarina (Dahl) Penner. In a happy Christian home she accepted Jesus as her Saviour at the age of 15 and received assurance of salvation from John 3: 16 and Romans 8: 14,15. She was baptized by Elder Gerhard Regehr on May 12, 1910 and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Following the first World War and during the revolution in 1918 she married Cornelius Penner, a minister from Schoendorf, Borozenko. After several years of famine, disease, and persecution they moved to Canada in 1926 with their four children.

Settling in the McMahon District of Saskatchewan, the Penners farmed and raised a family. A daughter, Katy, has been a missionary in Africa for 20 years. Mrs. Penner was active in the church and enjoyed reading, knitting, and crocheting after retiring to Swift Current in 1954. Her husband predeceased her in 1958.

After three months of illnes, she went to be with her Lord on October 22. While ill she had a vision of the glory of heaven. Her joy and radiant smile midst extreme pain and suffering were a most striking example of her faith to all who visited and cared for her. A funeral service was held at the Swift Current Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Peter Nikkel and Rev. Frank Peters officiating.

She leaves to mourn six sons, Cornelius, John, David, Peter, Henry, and Walter; four daughters, (Mrs.) Sarah Wiens, Katy, Helen, and (Mrs.) Anne Tymos; one sister, (Mrs.) Tina Schroeder; four brothers, John Henry, Isaac, and David; twenty grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.