Penner, Frank (1876-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 26 p. 6

Birth date: 1876 Oct 1

text of obituary:

. . .

— John Penner of Newton received word of the passing of his father, Frank Penner, at Dinuba, Calif. on Jan. 16. Funeral services were held at Dinuba Jan. 20.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

FRANK PENNER

Frank Penner, our loving husband and father, son of John and Maria Penner, was born in South Russia on Oct. 1, 1876. At the age of 17, father came to America with his parents. They settled on a farm near Inman, Kansas.

As a young man he came to Corn, Okla. where on Jan. 8, 1899, he was united in holy matrimony to Margaret Zielke. This union, which lasted only 11 years, was blessed with three children. All three of the children have also passed away.

At the age of 24, father recognized his lost condition and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. On May 8, 1902, he was baptized upon confession of his faith and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

On July 16, 1911, he entered into holy matrimony with Sarah Zielke, a sister of his first companion. This union, which lasted 44 years and six months, was blessed with 17 children. Thirteen of these are still living. Four children preceded him in death.

The first years of our married life were spent on a farm near Coy, Okla. From there we moved to Corn, Okla. and continued in the occupation of farming. As a sideline, father also made brooms. In 1929, we moved with our family to Hillsboro, Kansas, and in 1942, to Reedley, Calif.

The last seven years our father was very active in the New London Chapel, testifying and teaching the love of his blessed Savior.

Our father was kind, loving, and generous. He always had time for others, and especially for his large family. He was a man of prayer and greatly concerned that all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren might know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

About three weeks ago father had a stroke from which he never recovered. He was taken to the Dinuba Hospital where he was well cared for. Sunday morning Jan. 15,1956, at 10:15 the Lord called him home to Glory. He reached the age of 79 years, three months and 14 days.

Those who mourn his departure are the following: his faithful companion, Mrs. Sarah Penner, Dinuba, Calif.; 13 children; Sarah, Mrs. Clarence Penner of Fresno, Calif., Margaret, Mrs. Ernest Buschman of Fresno, Frank Penner of Waverly, Kansas, Mary, Mrs. Irwin Entz of Reedley, John Penner of Newton, Kansas, Minnie, Mrs. W. T. Haley of Big Bow, Kansas, Susie, Mrs. Henry Kruger of Dinuba, Agnes, Mrs. John F. Wall of Reedley, Jake Penner of Salina, Kansas, Helen, Mrs. Eldin [sic Eldon] Neufeld of Burbank, Calif., Martha, Mrs. Clarence Peters, Cornelious [sic Cornelius] Penner, and Evelyn Penner all of Dinuba; two brothers, Peter Penner of Cordell, Okla., and Jacob Penner of Reedley; 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. — The Family.