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OLGA PENNER

OLGA (BRAUN) PENNER November 17, 1917 - August 7, 2012 It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of our mom, grandma, and great- grandma. She passed away peacefully at the age of 94, surrounded by some of her family. She was born in the Amsterdam area of Manitoba, to Abram and Sara Braun. She was the middle of 10 boys followed by two sisters. On June 8, 1941 she married Peter Penner in Sperling, MB. In 1947 they moved to Winnipeg with four small children. By 1955 their family was completed with another two children. Beginning in 1969 for a span of nine and one half years they fostered 65 Inuit and First Nation children from the North who required medical care. From 1978 to 1982 they lived in Edmonton where Mom worked for Home Care. They then moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to their family. They were members of the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church and were active until their health declined. Some of the things she enjoyed doing was singing in the choir, women's fellowship groups, gardening, knitting and teaching her grandchildren how to bake buns, etc. Gideons was also a large part of both Mom and Dad's life. She is survived by her children: Calvin (Ruth) of Winkler, Leona of Edmonton, Henry (Sally) of England and Viola (Clay) Bilous of Winnipeg; daughter-in-law Ann of Winnipeg, and son-in-law Russel of Steinbach. Also left to mourn her passing are 18 grandchildren, their spouses and 29 great-grandchildren; her sisters Hilda (Jack) Klassen and Lydia (Bart) Crundwell, brothers George (Anne), John (Susan), and Peter Braun, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her stillborn daughter Elsie, husband Peter Penner, daughter Martha Penner, son Richard Penner, her parents, Abram and Sara Braun and seven brothers. A special thank you to the staff at Donwood Personal Care Home who made Mom feel loved and at home and to Dr. C. Isaac who cared so faithfully for her for 25 years. There will be a viewing on Sunday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, and prior to the service which will be held on Monday, August 13 at 11:00 a.m. at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Donwood Manor or Gideons International.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on August 11, 2012