ANNA PENNER

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ANNA PENNER (nee KLASSEN) On October 9, 2015, at Bethania Personal Care Home, with loved ones at her side, our mother, oma and great-oma passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord at the age of 87. Anna was born on April 14, 1928 to the Rev. Jacob and Susanna Klassen of Niverville, MB. She grew up on a farm during the Depression, the fifth in a family of ten children. Life was very challenging during the 1930s and Anna worked hard alongside her siblings to help run the farm. For recreation Anna enjoyed singing with family and playing baseball on a team with sisters. She also took special pride in her success as a high jumper. At the age of 15, upon confession of her faith, she was baptized by Rev. J.J. Enns in the Niverville Mennonite Church. She went on to complete her secondary education at Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna. Mom made many lifelong friendships at MCI and recalled fond memories of dorm life there. After graduation in 1946, Anna began her lifelong passion for teaching, beginning as a Permit teacher in a one room schoolhouse in the Sarto district. Upon receiving her First Class Teaching Certificate in 1948, she taught first at Arran School, and later at Niverville School, and Argyle School in Winnipeg. Mom would regale her family with stories of walking miles in winter blizzards and snowdrifts to get back to the schoolhouse after a weekend with her family on the farm. She would rise early every morning to stoke the schoolhouse woodstove so that her students would be warm. Such was her dedication to her students. In the midst of her early teaching career, Anna met her life's love Erwin. He was so captivated by her that he proposed on their first date yet asked her to wait for two years while he finished medical school. They were married in 1953 at First Mennonite Church where they remained lifelong members. Throughout their life together they were partners in everything, Mom even joining in Dad's passion for restoring antique cars by refinishing upholstery. In 1958, Anna became the first teacher at the newly established Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg, maintaining ties to some of those early students her entire life. In 1959 Mom retired from formal teaching to become an amazing and selfless private teacher, caregiver, coach, baker and cheerleader for her growing family. In all things, her faith and family were first. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always cherish her imaginative bedtime story-telling. All received items of her handcrafted quilts, blankets, clothing and artwork. She loved singing and participated in many choirs over the years. Mom was also an active volunteer including Sunday School teaching, church women's groups, senior visitations, Westgate Thrift Shop and she played a key role as both President and member of the Westgate Women's Auxiliary. She contributed significantly to the development of the annual Mennonite Festival of Art and Music during the 1970s. Mom loved to host family gatherings and special events such as Fall Foliage Tours with the car club at their rural property. Between 1979 and 1991, Mom worked with Dad in his private medical practice which eventually also led to an opportunity to work with her son, Meredith in a medical/dental office. Upon Dad's retirement in 1991, the two of them spent their retirement engaged in worldwide travel to five continents and volunteer work with Mennonite Disaster Service. Mom's never-ending supply of love, care and concern continued to expand as her family grew. Mom was predeceased by her husband; Erwin in 2010; her brothers, Jack, Frank and Rudy and sister Susie. She leaves behind to cherish her memory sons, Meredith (Karen), Tom (Daniella), Tim (Geri) and daughter Naomi (Ken) Makodanski; grandchildren Zarah (Mike) Tinholt, Bekki (Brandon) Friesen, Katie (Michael) Thom, Daniel Penner; Blake, Josie and Sam Penner; Kevin Penner and Taylor Bedford, Corey Penner and Brant Cook, Matthew Penner, David (Jenny) Reed, Nick Reed and Steph Thoma, and Rob Reed; Anna Dyck and Jamie Macleod, Heidi Dyck and Johnny Calderon, Hans Dyck, and Susie Dyck; great-grandchildren Addie, Eden, Ashley and Sophie; sisters Mary Penner, Irene Hiebert, Hilda Hildebrand, Betty (Albert) Leppky, brother John (Arleen) Klassen; sisters-in-law Anne Klassen, Ellie (Richard) Tews, Katie Penner and Lois Penner; countless nephews, nieces and friends that were all blessed by her kind and positive spirit. The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home for their compassionate caregiving to Anna during her last three months. Viewing will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. Memorial Service will be held Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Avenue. A private family interment will precede the memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 Friends Funeral Service, 204-339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 13, 2015