Penner, Helen Hamm (1864-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1864 Nov 1

text of obituary:

MRS. HELEN PENNER

(The first part of the obituary was written in German by Mrs. Penner some time before her death, and this is a free translation.)

I, Helen Hamm Penner, was born November 1, 1864, the youngest daughter of Peter and Emilie Hamm, nee Siemens, in the city of Marienburg, West Prussia, Germany. I received my education in the advanced girls’ school located here. On September 24, 1880, I arrived together with my parents in Beatrice, Nebraska and on February 20, 1881, I was baptized by Elder Gerhard Penner upon my confession of faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Redeemer and became a member of the First Mennonite church.

I offered my service as a teacher of smaller children which gave me great joy. It became especially interesting when an aged man said to me, "Guide these little children to the Dear Lord.”

On December 6, 1883, I was married to Wilhelm Penner and moved on to our farm 11 west of Beatrice where we lived happily, in contentment and thankfulness to our God, for almost 50 years. The dear Lord blessed us with six children. Of these one son died when about two years old and a married daughter died in 1933. A few weeks later my dear husband also died following a prolonged illness. These were dark days but our dear God who is always faithful gave strength, and when I think back over the years of my life I can only praise and thank my Heavenly Father for his unmerited love and faithfulness. Yes, the Lord has planned everything well and we give Him all honor.

Since 1937 I have been living in the city with my older sister, who has shown me much love, together with the faithful love of my children and grandchildren.

Psalm 31:5. "Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.”

*     *     *

Since this time our dear mother has gone through much suffering, but daily acquired renewed strength from her Heavenly Father. She was always thoughtful of others and appredicted [sic] everything that was done for her. She attended church whenever possible and was privileged to attend the last services on Easter. From then on she failed rapidly. All these years she was under the kind and loving care of our nurse, Miss Louise Carstens.

The Lord quietly called her to her eternal rest on May 16 at the age of 84 years, six months and 15 days.

She is survived by two daughters, two sons, two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, 12 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one sister, and many relatives and friends.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 May 31 p. 12