Penner, Isaac P. (1904-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Mar 01 p. 32

Birth date: 1904 Jan 26

text of obituary:

ISAAC P. PENNER

Isaac P. Penner of Winnipeg was called home on January 9. He was born to Peter and Catherina (nee Dahl) Penner on January 26, 1904 in Kronstal, southern Russia. He spent his childhood and youth there until 1913 when the family moved to Sagradowka. During and after the Russian Revolution his family suffered hardships at the hands of the roving Makhno bands. These hard times started a spiritual movement in which people turned to the Lord for forgiveness of their sins. Isaac was among them: he found new life in Jesus and was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church in Sagradowka. He immigrated to Canada in 1926 and earned his living as a farmhand for some years. In 1931 he finished his high school, attended Winkler Bible School in 1932 and Winnipeg Bible Institute in 1933. He found his life partner in Ida Hiebert of Winkler, to whom he was married July 8, 1934. In May 1950 they moved to Winnipeg. He was well-liked by his family and others, and readily made friends in the business world. He liked to discuss politics and how things should be in an "ideal society". He pursued his ideals by devising projects for improvement and writing to various periodicals (including the Herald).

His family remembers him as a man of generous nature. Those left to praise God for his life are his wife Ida; children Shirley and John Bergen, Lloyd and Kathy Penner, Marilyn and Norman Labun, Clifford and Palma Penner, Stanley and Debbie Penner; 12 grandchildren; two brothers and one sister; and many other relatives and friends.