Penner, Elsie Wiens (1912-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Dec 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1912 Nov 2

text of obituary:

MRS. ELSIE PENNER

Mrs. Elsie Penner was born to Abraham A. and Anna Klassen Wiens on Nov. 2, 1912, at Hooker, Okla. She passed from this life on Oct. 28, 1965, having attained the age of 52 years, 11 months, and 25 days. She grew up in the Hooker area where she also attended school. She was saved and baptized at about 12 years of age and joined the Hooker Mennonite Brethren Church.

At 15 years of age her mother died. Thus she was put in charge of her younger sisters until her father brought another mother into the home.

She was united in marriage to Dan Penner on March 23,1932. We farmed at Dalhart, Texas the first two years and then spent 10 years at Hooker where Jim, our first child, was born. Three years later, during a short stay in California, our daughter Phyllis was born in Reedley, Calif. In 1944 the family moved to Reedley.

Elsie had a great love for singing and served the Lord in this way. For a number of years she sang in a mixed quartet over Radio Station KMJ on a program which Rev. George Huebert was the speaker. She sang in the choir many years and also served frequently at funerals and at other occasions. For a time she was active in caring for foster home patients discharged from the hospital by giving them love and understanding.

She had been in failing health for several years. A year ago it seemed impossible for her to go on, but she rallied and continued. God was gracious and added one more year of stay here with her family. She realized she had an incurable disease from which she was never to recover. After being in a coma for three days she slipped away to be with her Saviour at is at rest with Him.

Those who mourn her departure are: her husband, Dan Penner of Reedley; two children, Jim Penner of Reedley; and Phyllis, Mrs. Olin Mosher of Sanger; one son-in-law; one daughter-in-law; four grandchildren; four sisters, Leona, Mrs. Harvey Nikkel of Hooker, Rose, Mrs. Leonard Hamm of Hooker, Evelyn, Mrs. Alfred Neufeld, of Reedley, and Delores, Mrs. Cornelius Reimer of Hooker, and four brothers-in-law.

Those who preceded her in death are: one sister in infancy; her mother, father, and also her second mother.

The memorial service was held in the Mennonite Brethren Church of Reedley, with Rev. Henry L. Janzen and Rev. George R. Huebert officiating.