Penner, John J. (1880-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Sep 3 p. 11

Birth date: 1880 Sep 21

text of obituary:

JOHN J. PENNER

Jacob J. Penner, son of Isaac and Katherina (Klippenstein) Penner, was born in Russia on Sept. 21, 1880, and passed from this earthly life on June 12, 1970, having attained the age of 89 years, eight months, and 22 days.

Father came from Russia to America with his parents at the age of two years. He spent his early boyhood days on a farm near Henderson, Neb. He lost his mother and sister, Barbara, who was seven, in the tornado which struck between Henderson and Bradshaw in 1890. He learned to shift for himself at an early age, working on a farm in Minnesota, and later at Munich, N. D.

He was baptized on his confession of faith in Jesus Christ in October of 1901 and received as a member of the Salem Mennonite Church at Munich, N. D.

On Dec. 23, 1902 he was united in marriage to Margeret [sic Margaret] Janzen. He was a farmer by trade, first near Munich, N. D., and from 1926 until his retirement at Henderson.

After mother died in 1964 he lived alone in his home for about two years, and then moved to Midtown Manor for three years. He spent the last year in the Henderson Nursing Home.

Father was a dedicated man and taught Sunday school for many years. In spite of his limited education, the Salem Mennonite Church in Munich elected him to preach the Gospel. This he did for about five years. After joining the Bethesda Church at Henderson in 1926, he became active as Sunday school superintendent. He served as a deacon for nine years, and taught Sunday school as long as his hearing permitted. He loved to associate with people and had many friends.

He will be remembered for his deep, abiding faith in Christ whom he praised both in good times and also in times of adversity.

He leaves his children, Art and Marie Regier of Buhler, Kan., Jake and Mathilda Penner of Henderson, and Abe and Olga Peters of Henderson; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four brother, Pete I. of Mt. Lake, Minn., Henry I. of Lincoln, Neb., John I. of Caldwell, Idaho, and Chris I. of Aurora, Neb., two sisters, Mrs. Isaac D. Peters of Henderson, and Mrs. Henry Young of Mankato, Minn.

Preceding him in death were four brothers and two sisters.