Penner, Katharina Klassen (1907-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Mar 8 p. 24

Birth date: 1907 Oct 29

text of obituary:

KATHARINA PENNER

Katharina Penner passed away Dec. 25. She was born Oct. 29, 1907 to Rev. Gerhard and Elizabeth Klassen in Wasiljewka, Russia. They fled to Canada in 1924, settling on a farm near Kronsgart, Man. She married Peter J. Penner May 23, 1926. They farmed near Kronsgart, Man. for 17 years, near Roland, Man. for 2 years and then bought a farm near Manitou, Man. Peter's poor health forced early retirement, and they moved to Morden, Man. in 1960. Peter died in 1978. She moved to the Tabor apartments in 1983 and to Tabor Care Home in 1999. She and Peter established a love for singing in their family and at one point the family made up 9 of the 16 member of the Manitou MB Church choir. She sang and played guitar. After Peter's death, she became the driving force that kept the family singing. She had a keen sense of family history. Each time a family book was published, she would buy a copy for each of her children. She faithfully gave financial support to the local church and her favourite radio ministry programs, Family Life Network and Back to the Bible. She accepted Christ at 12. She loved to read the Bible and was in her 27th reading of it from cover to cover. Her favourite passage was Ps. 91. She loved discussing spiritual matters and challenged her family to "be in right relationship with God". Predeceased by Peter, 1 grandson, 1 brother and 1 sister, she is mourned by children Peter of Morden, Jacob of Brandon, Man., George of Waterloo, Ont., Betty Lambrecht of Calgary, John of Winnipeg, Kae Lambrecht of Morden, David of Brandon and Len of Winnipeg; 44 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and 4 brothers. The funeral was held in Westside Community Church, Morden, with Russ Toews ministering.