Penner, Jacob (1893-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Mar 07 p. 29

Birth date: 1893 May 23

text of obituary:

JACOB PENNER

Jacob Penner was born May 23, 1893 in Ebenfeld, South Russia and grew up in Kamenka village, near Orenburg. He accepted Christ as his Saviour in 1907; two years later he re-dedicated his life and was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church.

In December, 1918 he married Katharina Thiessen. They had five sons and five daughters. The second son, however, died when only a few weeks old.

He and his family immigrated to Paraguay in 1930, where, under most difficult circumstances, he made a home for his family. In 1948 his wife passed away.

He married Katharina Klippenstein, a widow with three sons and three daughters, in 1949. The next year he and his family moved to Brazil, and in 1960 to Canada, where several of his children who had preceeded him helped to make Vancouver his new home. For about five years he and his wife served with joy and dedication as church janitors. He was retired since 1970.

He passed away January 8, 1975, at age 81. He is survived by his wife, Katharina, seven sons, eight daughters, 79 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one brother in Brazil and three sisters in Russia.

The funeral was held January 10 in the Culloden Church of Vancouver, with Rev. D. B. Wiens in charge.