VERNON G. PENNER

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VERNON G. PENNER Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Vernon G. Penner was born on January 24, 1935 to Ed D. and Helena Penner at Rosenort, Mb. He peacefully passed away on Monday, January 31, 2000 at the Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, Mb., reaching the age of 65 years. His childhood years were spent on the family farm at Rosenort. He was converted and baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on December 19, 1948 by Minister F. F. Hiebert, remaining faithful to the end. Vernon married me, Frances Toews on April 7, 1957 at Montezuma, Kansas. We enjoyed almost 43 years together, our home being blessed with two sons and three daughters. The first five years, we lived at Rosenort where Vernon farmed and did carpentry. In 1962, we moved to a farm at Elma, Mb. He was ordained to the deaconry in 1982, filling this office faithfully. Dad unselfishly gave himself to mission work in Mexico, Romania and Ghana. He enjoyed serving on the Gospel Tract Board for ten years. Dad was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather, leaving us a Christian example to follow by his quiet and understanding ways. When Dad was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, he accepted it with quiet resignation and trust in God, bravely enduring to the end. Especially precious to him during this time, were these verses from II Timothy 4: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Frances; two sons, Arlin and Margie, Ray and Laurie of Elma, Mb.; three daughters, Jeannette of Ste. Anne Mb., Lavonne and Byron Friesen, Sally and Don Friesen of Elma, Mb.; 12 grandchildren; ten sisters: Amanda and Ed Penner, Grandview, Mb., Adina and Jac Isaac, Hythe, Ab., Frances and Ed Warkentin, Hyas, Sk., Annie and Allan Loewen, Morris, Mb., Marcella and Maynard Friesen, Roblin, Mb., Gladys and Sherwin Friesen, Helena and Glenn Schneider, St. Marys, On., Joanne, Joyce and Stella of Rosenort, Mb.; three brothers: Stanley and Lenora of Rich Hill, Missouri, Harold and Ruth of Murray, Kentucky, and Roland and Doris of St. Marys, On. He was predeceased by his parents and one sister Emma. Friends and family may view on Wednesday, February 2 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at the Sobering Funeral Chapel, Park Avenue East, Beausejour. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Elma, Mb. with home ministers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Our sincere appreciation and thanks to all who have lovingly cared for Dad during his illness. Donations in his memory may be given to Gospel Tract & Bible Society, Ste. Anne, Mb. Sobering Funeral Chapel, Beausejour in care of arrangements. Beausejour 268-3510 or Mb. toll free 1-877-776-2220.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2000