Editing Penner, Ella Pankratz (1933-1974)

''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' obituary: 1974 April 05 p. 37

Birth date: 1933

text of obituary:

<center><h3>ELLA PENNER</h3></center>

Ella Penner was born on September 20,
1933 at Coaldale, Alberta, the daughter of
David and Anna Pankratz. At the age of
seven she gave her heart to the Lord, and on
June 19, 1949 was baptized and accepted
into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Coaldale.
In 1953 Ella and Jake Penner were
married and began their life together on a
farm at Grassy Lake. The Lord blessed their
marriage in many ways, with three children,
as well as material and spiritual blessings.
Ella had many talents and believed in using
them for the Lord, both as a homemaker and
as a member of the church and community.
More than in any other way she will be
remembered for her singing. She could
always be counted on to be available, in the
choir or in vocal groups.
Her battle with the illness that took her
life began with surgery in the spring of 1967.
Their youngest child was only three' at the
time, and both Ella and Jake prayed for a
few more years, for the sake of the children.
Their wish was granted and she enjoyed
three and a half more years of good health.
was an inspiration to all who visited her. One
of her favorite verses of scripture was Matt.
6:34, according to the Living Bible: " Don't
be anxious about tomorrow. God will take
care of your tomorrow , too. Live one day at a
time."
After the death of her father six months
ago , her health broke down rapidly. The last
months were filled with pain and suffering,but her courageous and cheerful disposition
was an inspiration to all who visited her. One
of her favorite verses of scripture was Matt.
6:34, according to the Living Bible: " Don't
be anxious about tomorrow. God will take
care of your tomorrow , too. Live one day at a
time."
Ella went to be with the Lord Feb. 26,
1974. Two of the people she dearly loved
predeceased her: Mother Penner in 1972 and
her father, David J. Pankratz, in 1973.
She leaves to mourn her early passing:
three children, Roger, Randy and Wanda;
her loving husband Jake; her mother, Anna
Pankratz; one sister, Erika Penner of Grassy
Lake; two brothers, Victor Pankratz of La
Glace, Alta. and Werner Pankratz of Vancouver, as well as many close relatives and
friends.
The funeral was held on March 1 at the
small country church that . had been Ella's
church home for the last 20 years of her life.
Alex Neumann spoke on John 14:1 " Let not
your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God,
believe also in me." Rev. Ed Epp officiated
at the burial. She was- laid to rest in the
cemetery on the grounds of the Mennonite
Brethren Church at Grassy Lake, Alberta
Then new problems appeared, resulting in
more surgery.

[[Category:Mennonite Brethren Herald obituaries]]