Penner, Jacob (1878-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jun 19 p. 7

Birth date: 1878 Sep 18

text of obituary:

NATIVE OF RUSSIA DIES AT REEDLEY

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services for Jacob Penner, 79, a resident here for 14 years, were held June 12 at the Reedley Mennonite Brethren church. He died at the Reedley Hospital on Sunday evening, June 8.

A native of Russia, Mr. Penner had farmed for many years in the Clinton, Okla. vicinity before moving here and only recently had made a trip to Oklahoma. He leaves a large family of descendants.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jun 26 p. 8

text of obituary:

JACOB PENNER

Jacob Penner, the son of John and Marie Penner, was born in the village of Altenau in South Russia on Sept. 18, 1878. He departed this life to be with his blessed Savior on June 8, 1958. He attained to the age of 79 years, eight months and 20 days.

When father was 14 years old he came to America with his parents and settled on a farm near Inman, Kansas. A little later they moved to the Corn, Okla. community where he grew to manhood. Here he did farm work and for some time he hauled freight with horses and wagon between El Reno and Colony, Okla.

On Nov. 25, 1900, he entered holy wedlock with Susanna Zielke. The next year our parents accepted Christ as their Savior and followed Him in baptism, whereupon they were accepted into the fellowship of the Corn Mennonite Brethren church.

Their union was blessed with 13 children, seven sons and six daughters. Two sons died in their infancy.

Our parents were engaged in farming and lived at various places in Oklahoma and Kansas. For a few years they also lived near Littlefield, Texas. They spent most of their years in the Bessie, Okla. community. In the spring of 1952 they moved to Reedley, Calif.

Great sadness and loneliness of heart came to father when mother went to be with the Lord in April of 1952. A year later he was married to Mrs. Gertrude Flaming. They enjoyed each others fellowship and their families for more than five years.

The last four years, father's health began to fail. He had a diabetic condition and also other ailments, but he was able to be up and about.

On Sunday morning, June 8, the parents both went to Sunday school. Before going he told mother that he felt some pain in his left side. During Sunday school this pain increased sharply. He was taken immediately to the local hospital. The doctor told the family that his heart condition was very serious, and by six o'clock that evening he had entered into his eternal reward.

Father was a pious man who loved god, the church, and his family. He was a man of prayer and whenever he realized that he had offended someone he humbly apologized. He was a regular attendant at church services and willing to help along. We will never forget his prayers for us and his fatherly admonitions to walk in the ways of God.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Penner, of Reedley; five sons and six daughters, Jacob J. Penner of Dinuba, Calif.; Susanna, Mrs. P. A. Schmidt of Weatherford, Okla.; John L. Penner of Clinton, Okla.; Minnie, Mrs. E. W. Brown of Cordell, Okla.; Marie, Mrs. Leonard Bartel of Reedley; Nick B. Penner of Reedley; D. D. Penner of Fresno, Calif.; Agatha, Mrs. Walter Nightengale of Clinton, Oka.; Cornelius Penner of San Jose, Calif.; Esther, Mrs. Herbert Wichert, and Evelyn, Mrs. Menno E. Toews, Fresno, Calif.; six sons-in-law; five daughters-in-law; 53 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; one brother, Peter Penner of Cordell, Okla.; and his wife's family of six children, 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchilden [sic], and many other relatives and friends.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley M. B. church June 12 with Rev. H. R. Wiensand Rev. George H. Janzen officiating. — The Family.