Penner, Mary Wiebe (1887-1930)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Mar 12 p. 7

Birth date: 1887 Sep 19

text of obituary:

Mrs. J. J. Penner

Mrs. J. J. Penner (nee Mary Wiebe) was born in a village of the Southern part of Russia, September 19, 1887. She was the third child of a alrge [sic] family and lived with her parents on the farm.

Since her early life she had a great desire to go out some day as a missionary and tell about Jesus.

As a large family and lived with her par

God's hand from sin and she lived a very quiet life. Many times she has told how she, in spite of her earnestness to please God, did not find satisfaction and she definitely felt her need of salvation. She was in a great struggle and finally she found peace and rest through the merits of Jesus Christ when 19 years old.

The same year she was sprinkled and taken in as a church member in one of the Mennonite churches. In 1924 she was brought to the light of immersion, and taking this step was the means of her mother's conversion.

Although she had great desires to go out, the Lord had a work for her to do at home, and she served Him faithfully.

When in 1918 a Bible School was opened in Russia, close to her home she attended that school for three years and with an eagerness and faithfulness she studied God's Word.

Her greatest pleasure was to work with children in Sunday School. In the fall of 1921 she was married to Mr. J. J. Penner and while he was teaching school, she helped him.

In 1922 she left Russia with some of her loved ones, and on the way to the United States, she was able to see her sister in Germany. After a year of staying in Germany she came with her husband to the United States, and made her home in Mountain Lake, Minn. She assisted her husband in the pastoral work as well as in the evangelistic meetings, leading children's meetings, and helping in personal work. Her burning desire and love for her Saviour would not give her any rest until she could see the souls saved, spending hours to succession with souls in prayer and in instruction in the Word of God. Even on her death bed she won once more soul to Christ.

Since 1928 she could not go out any more with her husband holding revival meetings, but she upheld him in prayer to the Throne of God.

In 1928 she left with her husband for the East to have more rest while he was attending the Missionary Training Institute. But she did not gain in strength until in May, 1929, when the Lord definitely touched her weak body, which made it possible for her to come back and follow her husband to the branch at Manhattan, Montana. She was gaining in strength when she came there last fall but then since November she was failing rapidly.

In order to have the proper and best care she was transferred to the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, where she spent the last four weeks. Often she told the visitors with a smile on her face, "The Lord is so precious to me," never complaining but always rejoicing in Him. Quietly and peacefully she passed on to be with her Lord on Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. — Mt. Lake Observer.