LAVERNE (THIESSEN) PENNER -

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LAVERNE (THIESSEN) PENNER 1947 - 2012 It is with mixed emotions that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012, at his home in Mitchell after a long but inspiring journey with cancer. Laverne will be lovingly remembered by Brenda, his beloved wife of 32 years, his children: Barry (Jaimie), Cindy, Ryan and Trenton and grandchildren: Casey, Keegan, Payton and Lillie; four siblings: Doreen, Ron (Carol), Peter (Leona), Leroy (Betty); mother-in-law Annie Reimer, and in-laws, Irene (Gerald), Wes, Dorothy (Ed), Sharon (Jim), Joanne (Trevor) and Jacqueline (Steve), plus many nieces and nephews and our adopted Columbian family; also, his communities of faith at Grace Mennonite Church and Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, and many friends, including his beloved little dog, Scotty. He was predeceased by his parents John K. Helena (Thiessen) Penner, an older brother, Eldon, in infancy, and father-in-law Peter B. Reimer. Laverne was a loyal and devoted husband, loving father and grandfather who delighted in his family's accomplishments and encouraged them to develop personal gifts and interests. He was a man of integrity, with a positive outlook on life and thought things through before he spoke. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humour and was a gifted storyteller, often making himself the brunt of his stories. His working life included stints as a teacher on Matheson Island and Kola, MB, then several years of accounting and computers at Loewen Windows, followed by an extended period as CEO at Resthaven, and lastly in semi-retirement, as co-administrator with Brenda at Steinbach Housing Inc. A celebration of Laverne's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Steinbach Evangelical Church, Main Street, and viewing will be at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel. Thanks to all who helped make Laverne's last months a time of praise and thanksgiving, including pastoral, medical and homecare staff. The Family In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2012