Penner, Isaac (1866-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Sep 15 p. 6;

Birth date: 1866 Aug 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— Isaac Penner, aged 94, and one of the oldest residents of this community, died at the Bethel Home for Aged Sunday evening, Sept. 11. He was born Aug. 8, 1866 in Rueckenau, Russia, the son of Daniel and Gertrude Penner. He was married to Elizabeth Schmidt who preceded him in death in 1954. He was a member of the Burrton Mennonite church and lived in that community until he entered the Bethel Home in Newton in 1952. He is survived by two daughters, five sons, 19 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. The funeral was held Sept. 14 at the Burrton Mennonite Church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Sep 29 p. 8

text of obituary:

ISAAC PENNER

Isaac Penner, son of Daniel and Gertrude (Fast) Penner, was born Aug. 8, 1866, in Rueckenau, South Russia, and departed this life Sept. 11, 1960, at the age of 94 years, one month and three days, at the Bethel Home for Aged of Newton, Kan., where he resided for the past eight years.

He was the youngest in a family of 11 children, all of whom have preceded him in death. When he was four years old his father died and about one year later his mother remarried, and he gained five stepbrothers and sisters.

When he was eight years old, his mother and stepfather came to America and settled in Marion County, Kansas. Tragedy soon struck and at 12 he was left motherless. Her wish was that he attend a boarding school near Goessel, operated by Peter Balzer, who was his guardian and teacher for the next four years.

At the age of 23 he purchased a farm near El Reno, Okla., where he lived alone for two years. On Nov. 7, 1891, he was married to Elizabeth Schmidt of Goessel to which union were born two daughters and five sons.

For the next 20 years the home was in El Reno and Gotebo, Okla. After one year in New Mexico the family came to Goessel, Kan., where he freighted merchandise between Newton and Goessel with a team and wagon. Later he took up farming again near Moundridge and Hesston.

In 1918 at the age of 52 he became very ill of diabetes insidious. Doctors gave him little hope of survival but miraculously his health gradually returned.

In 1919 they moved to Burrton and lived there until 1952, when together they entered the Bethel Home for Aged. Mother passed away 10 months later. They were privileged to spend more than 62 years together.

Father was baptized at the age of 20 in the First Mennonite church of Hillsboro by the Rev. J. S. Hirschler. He was always interested and active in the work of the church. Wherever he was a member he was elected to some office of the church and served faithfully and conscientiously. He often served as deacon and Sunday school superintendent.

He is survived by his seven children, their husbands and wives, except for one son-in-law who preceded him in death. They are Mrs. Selma Regier of Burrton, Mrs. B. B.(Anna) Schmidt and Daniel D. of Goessel, Samuel S. of Sedgwick, Henry J. of Newton, Eldon L. of Chanute, and Marcus M. of Newton. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Seven others preceded him in death. He also leaves a host of other relatives and friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Oct 25 p. 694