Penner, Isaac T. (1880-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 9 p. 5

Birth date: 1880 Sep 10

text of obituary:

Long-Time Inman Resident Died

Inman, Kan. — Funeral services were held at the Zion Mennonite Church near here for Isaac T. Penner, 75, who died at his home Jan. 30 after a long illness.

He was born near Steinbach, Manitoba, where he also married Katherine Wohlegemuth [sic Wohlgemuth]. Following her death, he married Maria Nikkel, and in 1915 they with other families of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite pioneered in a new settlement at Lubbock, Texas. He had lived at Inman for the past 33 years.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Mar 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

ISAAC T. PENNER

It has pleased our heavenly Father to call my husband, our father and grandfather, Isaac T. Penner, to his eternal reward. He was born Sept. 10, 1880, to Aron and Gertrude (Toews) Penner in the village of Blumenhof, near Steinbach, Manitoba; passed away at his home near Inman, Kan. on Jan. 30, 1956, reaching the age of 75 years, four months and 20 days.

Since his mother was ill his uncle and aunt, Isaac Warkentins, took him into their home at the age of two, and loved and cared for him as their own child. His mother passed away when he was 11 years old. Four months later his father was struck by lightning and passed away instantly, after which two brothers and two sisters joined him in the Warkentin home.

He had only meager schooling, but being a lover of books he continued his education in his spare time through the years. Since Mr. Warkentin was a country doctor the management of the farm was placed on Isaac when yet young in years.

He felt the need of a Saviour and repented of his sins, found forgiveness and was baptized on the confession of is faith April 6, 1898, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite and remaining faithful to the end.

Oct. 21, 1901, he was united in marriage to Kathrine Wohlgemuth and they made their home near Steinbach, Manitoba. On March 27, 1905, his companion was suddenly taken from his side.

On May 28, 1905, he exchanged marriage vows with Maria Nikkle at Houston, Texas. in October 915 [sic 1915] we together with several other families moved to Lubbock, Texas, where we built a new farmstead in what was then range country. The Lord blessed our labors there, but since there were few of our faith residing there and the children were growing up, we decided to make our home near Inman, Kan., which was our home till his death.

Father was a hard worker and a good provider, a lover of children, and tried to make friends wherever he went. In November 1927 we had the privilege of taking Bertha Neufeld into our home as her mother passed away when she was born, caring for her till she was a year and nine months old. He taught us as children to be honest and God-fearing, taking us to church regularly, opening the way for us to find the Lord Jesus, whom we all accepted. He taught a Sunday school class for many years.

He enjoyed reasonably good health until August 1947 when he submitted to major surgery in a Kansas City hospital. the operation was a success, but it was a turning point in his life for he seemed to age rapidly after that. We moved into a little house on our place and through the years that followed he seemed to slowly become more and more paralyzed.

In these declining years he often felt he had not done enough for his Lord. He had a great concern for the salvation of souls. He mailed hundreds of tracts to the shut-ins and others.

Feb. 3, 1955, he suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he partly recovered, but two weeks later another stroke left him helpless and bedfast. On May 2 we took him to the home of his son Isaac, were we also celebrated our golden wedding anniversary. On Oct. 28 we took him back to our home where mother and children lovingly cared for him till he quietly passed to his eternal home.

He leaves to mourn his departure his deeply bereaved companion; four sons and three daughters, Leona, Mrs. John A. Ensz, Isaac, David and John of Inman, Kan., Henry of Hillsboro, Kan., Katherine, Mrs. John P. Dueck of Ste. Anne, Man., and Matilda, Mrs. Wilbert Ensz of Yale, S. D.; four daughters-in-law and three sons-in-law; 26 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; three brothers and one sister, P. A. of Ste. Anne, Man., Aaron of Conway, Kan., Abe W. of Langley Prairie, B. C., Gertrude, Mrs. David Enns of Winnipeg, Man.; one uncle, John B. Toews of Steinbach, and many relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were one grandchild, four sisters, one foster sister and one foster brother.

Funeral services were held Feb. 3, first in the house, where min. Abe Toews spoke words of comfort,and at 2 p. m. in the Zion church near Inman. Introduction and prayer were given by Min. A. R. Toews. Min. Carl Dirks chose for his text James 4:14, Phil 1:21, Job 3:17, Rev. 7:9, 13-17. Min. Jonas B. Koehn conducted the graveside service.