WESLEY PETER PENNER

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WESLEY PETER PENNER

Wesley Peter Penner passed away peacefully, surrounded by his five children, on October 25, 2024, at the age of 85, following a brief illness.

Born February 23, 1939, to David F. and Helen Penner (nee Reimer), Wes was the eighth of 11 children. He grew up on a farmstead in Landmark, MB, playing football with the Landmark Dutchmen and spending many winters working at the family logging business in National Mills. Wes earned his degrees at the University of Manitoba (St. John's College) and spent the next ten years as a high school teacher and coach at Landmark Collegiate while roofing in the summers.

Wes was adventurous and most comfortable when being unconventional. He married Ruth in 1966, and in 1973 with three children under age six, the family lived in a tent in the wilderness at Rat River while Wes took on a contract to hand-clear the shores for a forthcoming hydroelectric dam. Their bush-clearing adventures continued in Gillam, where they were stationed for the next 18 months. Upon returning to Landmark, Wes operated a local garage and acquired and developed several properties, inviting his young family to be part of the process. When Wes's oldest son turned 18, they, together with Wes's nephew, founded Powerland Computers, riding the wave of the personal computer era. The company grew rapidly, employing over a hundred people at its peak and diversifying into networking, service, and large government contracts. Later, Wes's interests led him to purchase the old Atomic Energy of Canada dormitory in Pinawa, transforming it into a conference centre. We often joked that this was Dad's personal retirement home (though he never truly retired) and he frequently hosted friends and family gatherings at the W'Edge.

Wes was known for his keen intellect, big-picture thinking, and sometimes controversial views. He engaged in the political landscape, running for Member of Parliament four times. In his later years, Wes explored the viability of Canada's medical system, writing a book on healthcare reform.

Wes loved playing chess and teaching his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews the game. He took particular pride in the first tournament where he competed alongside all five of his children, aged 3 through 13 (Dad especially loved that a local cable show captured this event). Wes was also an avid card player, enjoying bridge, hearts, and canasta.

Our dad lived simply and chose to use his resources to help others. He saw potential in many people who may have been traditionally overlooked. Over the years Wes collaborated with others to sponsor nearly a hundred refugees from various countries, providing many with jobs within his businesses. In 2009, Wes began another passion project: supporting technology education in Sierra Leone. What started as repurposing and recycling old computers from Powerland quickly evolved into a much larger venture as Wes, partnering with Muckson Sesay, founded what is now Central University in Sierra Leone. Through Wes's philanthropy, hundreds of students have earned diplomas and degrees in IT, nursing, and business administration. Wes found great joy in knowing how impactfully his life's earnings could be shared.

Wes is survived by his five children: Kevin (Jackie), Candace, Michael (Joanne), Trish (Dennis), and Lisa; their mother, Ruth; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Caroline, Leonard, and Ken. He was a generous patriarch, beloved brother, and a special uncle to many nieces and nephews. Wes was predeceased by his parents and seven siblings.

A private green burial has taken place at Prairie Rose Cemetery where he rests among family members. A memorial service will be held at Heartland Community Church, 333 Main Steet, Landmark, at 3:00 p.m. on December 1, 2024, to celebrate his remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope For Education (scholarship@hope4edu.ca), a registered Canadian charity that funds scholarships at Central University, Sierra Leone.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2024, Nov 09, 2024