Penner, Anna Gertrude (1886-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Mar 30 p. 12

Birth date: 1886 Oct 4

text of obituary:

SISTER ANNA GERTRUDE PENNER

"Anna Gertrude Penner, daughter of Heinrich D. and Katherine Dalke Penner, was born Oct. 4, 1886 near Hillsboro, Kan. In February 1903 she was baptized by Rev. J. S. Hirschler and became a member of the Hillsboro Mennonite Church. In 1914, her membership was transferred to the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

"On Oct. 8, 1912, she entered the Bethel Deaconess Home and Hospital for a course in nursing to serve as a deaconess. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1915. On Oct. 1, 1916, she was ordained as a deaconess by her father, Rev. H. D. Penner. Sister Gertrude has remained active as a deaconess, serving as a nurse, Public Health Nurse, as instructor in the Bethel School of Nursing, and for about 25 years in various capacities in the Bethel Home for Aged. In her later years she was receptionist at the Bethel Student Nurses Home. She was the first deaconess of our institution to observe her 50th anniversary in this calling.

"On Feb. 17, 1967, Sister Gertrude was admitted to the Bethel Deaconess Hospital as a heart patient. Five days later, on Feb. 22, she quietly departed to the heavenly mansion prepared for her.

"Sister Gertrude's departure left but five members remaining of the Rev. and Mrs. H. D. Penner family. They are: Albert H., Hillsboro, Mrs. Walter E. (Linda) Niles, Sedgwick; Mrs. J. K. (Ruth) Dirks, Wichita; Mrs. Emil W. (Hulda) Haury, Tucson, Ariz.: and Mrs. A. L. (Verna) Miller, Partridge, Kan."

The Mennonite obituary: 1967 Mar 21 p. 203

text of obituary:

Sister Anna Gertrude Penner, Bethel College Church, North Newton, Kan., was born Oct. 4, 1886, and died Feb. 22. She had served in the Bethel Deaconess Sisterhood for more than fifty years.