Penner, Mary Neufeldt (1892-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Sep 22 p. 23

Birth date: 1892 Dec 25

text of obituary:

MARY PENNER

y Penner, beloved wife of Oa'vid Penner Sr. of Grass y Lak e, Alberta, was Mary Penner, beloved wife of David Penner Sr. of Grassy Lake, Alberta was born in 1892, in Southern Russia in the hom e of Jakob and Anna Neufeldt. She was married in 1912 to David Penner. The ea rly years of their marriage were marred by the outbreak of World Warl, with the resu lting sepa ration and 10ne'liness caused by compulsory service to t heir country. Following the revolution the Penners felt the uneas'iness and insecurity in Ru ss i,a and ,in 1925 they em igrated to Cinada, settling on a farm at Grassy Lake. It was here that they participated in the organization of a small Mennonite Brethren Church, which remained her church-home throughout the years of her life. Despite her declining health, Mrs, Penner lived to enjoy the d'iamond anniversary of their marria'g·e in J'une of this year. About two weeks before her passing her illness becam e very serious. She was taken to hospital, but her heart was too w ea ry to respond to treatment. The Lord took her home quie'tly, in the presence of her family, on the afternoon of August 23, 1972.

She leaves to mourn her husband David, four sons and three daughters, 30 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Two sisters survive her-Mrs. Anna W·illms in Lethbridge, Alberta and Mrs. T'ina Siemens in Russia. The funeral was held on the Saturday fo'liowing, with Br. D.J, Pankratz offici,ating. Mrs. Penner was laid ,to rest in the small cemetery on the grounds of the M .B. Church at Grassy Lake. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:1