Penner, Margarete Classen Goertz (1890-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Oct 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1890 Apr 23

text of obituary:

MARGARETE GOERTZ PENNER

Margarete Goertz Penner, daughter of Jacob and Agathe Claassen, was born on April 23, 1890 at Beatrice, Neb. She passed away April 28, 1972 in Orangeburg, South Carolina at the age of 82 years.

One of thirteen brothers and sisters, she grew up on the Claassen homestead west of Beatrice. She was baptized May 20, 1907 in the First Mennonite Church there. As a young women she attended Bethel Academy at Newton, Kan. On Oct. 30, 1915 she married John David Goertz of Hillsboro, Kan. They made their home at Beatrice, Neb. This happy union lasted 36 years. They shared a love of music and many years of musical ministry in the church. Their children were John Richard, Jacob Frederick, both deceased, Hilda Elizabeth (Ben H.) Boltjes, of Mt. Pleasant, S. C., Emily Louise (Alan) McRae of Berkeley, Calif. and Robert David of Colorado Springs, Colo. This family moved to Seattle, Wash. in 1942, but returned to Beatrice in 1949 due to the illness of her mother and her husband. She was preceded in death by John D. Goertz on March 7, 1951.

On June 15, 1952 she married John J. Penner, widowed father of Ruth, John Edward, Harold, Helen Louise, Paul and Dorothy Ann. They shared seven years of loving companionship. John J. Penner passed away on Jan. 17, 1959.

She is survived by brothers, Menno, Theodore and Daniel; sisters Helene, Catherine and Ruth; by her two daughters and youngest son, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Throughout her life she deeply loved and was devoted to the church. She was active in the research of family and church history. Her life was characterized by service and compassion toward others, and she will be remembered for all the lives she has touched and brightened.

The Mennonite obituary: 1972 Jul 11 p. 448