My dear husband, our father and grandfather, Elmer Penner, has gone to be with his Lord and Savior whom he loved and served. He was born to John D and Katherine Penner on November 12, 1930, and passed away June 16, 2011, at the Morris General Hospital, with one of his daughters by his bedside. The weeks of suffering before his death were difficult. He expressed a longing and readiness for the Lord to take him home even though he would have liked to stay and care for Mom. After that, he was able to spend a couple of weeks at home enjoying life again, until the morning of the day of his death. We are thankful that he can be at rest, even though his loving ways and words of wisdom will be greatly missed. He grew up close to Rosenort helping with the duties pertaining to the family farm. At the age of thirteen, he experienced a difficult adjustment in the loss his mother. He responded to the call of God and was baptized into the church of God in Christ, Mennonite on December 16, 1945. He loved the Church to which he remained faithful through his lifetime. After he married me, Esther Toews on June 12, 1955, we lived in a small house on the yard of his parents. Later we bought our own farm, one mile east of where he grew up. We moved into a small, old house living there happily as a young couple. Four children were born to us, two boys and two girls. We loved them dearly but God saw fit to call both boys to be with Him instead of remaining here with us. Dad grieved deeply in this experience, but God knew best. In his earlier years he also did some custom baling and carpentry work. Fond memories remained with him of the winters spent in Crooked Creek, Alberta area working in the sawmill. He had the gift of ‘helps’. If there was a work bee going on, or smaller projects, you could likely find him there. Dad farmed all his life and loved it. His interest in it continued even after his retirement in 2002. Dad knew no strangers, whether it was new neighbors or people he met while traveling. Being observant and compassionate, Dad saw a need when there was one. He loved people, had many friends and appreciated his neighbors, always trying to keep peace. Children had a warm place in his heart, especially his four grandchildren. His memory of dates and incidents of the past will be missed by many. Dad was called to the gospel ministry and ordained on December 11, 1968. He cared about each burden that anyone would share with him. Concern for their spiritual welfare and salvation was felt in his counsel. There was rejoicing and encouragement for every one that found the Lord. He has served the Rosenort congregation all the years of his ministry, except for short times of service in Seminole, Texas; Hague, Saskatchewan; Monterey, Tennessee; and Heart Valley, Alberta. With joy he served the Maplewood Manor, giving many years of pastoral care. Going there on Tuesdays for coffee was a highlight for both Dad and Mom, especially this last week. Those left to cherish precious memories are his wife, Esther; two daughters: Rosanne, Maxine and Leroy Goossen and their four children, Tara, Sharla, Troy and Cory. Ten brothers: George and Martha; Menno and Pauline; Gladwin and Ella; Leonard and Evelyn; John and Naomi; Melvin and Elvera; Ken and Darlene; Wayne and Phyllis; Rick and Karen; Darrel and Carolyn. Four sisters: Rosina Goossen; Vera Nightengale; Dolores Miller; Janet and James Goossen. Two brothers in-law: Lee and Neoma Hiebert; Bert and Rosalyn Penner. Two sisters in-law: Naomi Penner; Frances Goossen. Also sharing in fond memories are his Toews in-laws, nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Two sons, one grandson, his parents three brothers and four sisters preceded him in death. The family The funeral will take place Monday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ in Rosenort, MB, with interment at the church cemetery. Viewing will be Sunday, June 19, at Birchwood Funeral Chapel at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. and at the church prior to the service.