Penner, Maria Lohrenz (1859-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 26 p. 6

Birth date: 1859 May 18

text of obituary:

— Mrs. Maria Penner, 96, a pioneer resident of the Inman community, died here Thursday, Jan. 19. She moved to Newton from Buhler three years ago and had been cared for by her daughters, Elizabeth Penner and Mrs. John G. Unruh, at the home at 711 East Fourth. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at Draper's Funeral Chapel and the Hebron Mennonite Church near Buhler. Rev. Harold Buller, pastor of the Bethel College congregation officiated. Mrs. Penner was born in South Russia May 18, 1859, and her marriage to D. F. Penner took place at Inman on Dec. 18, 1885. He died in 1928. Surviving in addition to the two daughters are two sons, Peter P. and Frank L. Penner, 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 23 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. DAVID F. PENNER

Mrs. David F. Penner, nee Maria Lohrenz, daughter of Peter Lohrenz and Elizabeth Neufeld Lohrenz, was born in the village of Elizabeththal, Southern Russia, in the Molotschna Colony on May 18, 1859, and departed from this life on Jan. 19, 1956, at 3:40 p. m. in the home of her daughter in Newton, Kansas, reaching the age of 96 years, eight months and one day.

She came to America with her parents in the year 1874 and then settled on a farm southwest of Moundridge, Kansas. She was then15years of age and did not attend school here in America any more. She had received elementary education in Russia in the village school under the able instructor Cornelius Froese. He also came to America and was her minister when she attended the Hebron Church, of which she was a charter member, and now the last one of these charter members to remain. She was baptized by Rev. Bernhard Buhler in the Hebron church.

She was united in marriage to David F. Penner on Dec. 18, 1885. To this union five children were born of whom four are still living. David preceded her in death in1926, her husband in 1928, and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Peter P. Penner, in 1932.

She took interest in her family, the church and church organizations. In her younger years she was Sunday School teacher, she sang in the church choir and was very active in the Mission Society. Her Bible was her treasured Book. She was a loving, caring mother in the home and her love, care and prayers will live even though her lips are silent and her eyelids are closed. We tender her the rest after a long and useful life. We therefore say, "Till we meet again in the presence of Christ her Savior whom she loved and in whom was her hope."

She leaves to mourn her departure: Peter P. Penner and family of Inman, Kansas, Sara, Mrs. J. G. Unruh and family of Newton, Kansas, Elizabeth Penner of Newton, Kansas, and Frank L. Penner and family of Inman, Kansas; also 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Family.