Penner, Anna Penner (1897-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 Mar 19 p. 30

Birth date: 1897 Mar 14

text of obituary:

ANNA PENNER

Mrs. Anna Penner, wife of the late Johann Penner, and daughter of Johann and Katherine (nee Warkentine) Penner, was born on March 14, 1897 in southern Russia. In 1908 her parents moved to Siberia where she grew up. There she met and married her husband, Johann Jacob Penner, in 1918. This union was blessed with nine children of which seven died in infancy.

In 1929 a number of Mennonites left Russia via Moscow. The Penners also wanted to leave at that time, but were unsuccessful. The only other way open to them was through Afghanistan where they stayed for 11 years. From Afghanistan they went to Germany where they waited another seven years before they were successful in their attempts to come to Canada in 1948. All of their years in Canada were spent in the Niagara peninsula.

In faith she accepted Christ as the one who died for her and forgave her sins. She was baptized in 1926. On July 2, 1967 she was received into the fellowship of the Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church. After 49 years of married life, 19 of which were spent in Canada, her husband died on February 2, 1967. Four years later, on February 20, 1971, Mrs. Penner was suddenly stricken, and within a few hours, also passed away, She left this world peacefully, with the hope of being reunited with her loved ones. She leaves to mourn, two daughters, Anne (Mrs. George) Susgin, St. Catharines, and Margaret (Mrs. Michael) Kittl, St. Catharines; five grandchildren; a brother, David Penner, at Coaldale, Alta., and one sister in Russia. The funeral was conducted at the Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Isaac Block in charge.