Hilda Penner Peacefully with her family by her side, Hilda Penner, age 81, passed away at the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital on July 9, 2006. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children; Pauline (Bill) Wiens, daughter-in-law Eleanor (Frank) Thiessen, J. Ernie (Gladys) Penner, Kathleen (Geoff) Williams, Mary (Harry) Friesen, Geric (Patsy) Penner; grandchildren Karen (Corey) Wiebe, Cynthia Wiens, Laurel Wiens, Andrea (Kris) Kroeker, Darryl (Tricia) Penner, Teresa (Dwayne) Klassen, Nathan (Alisa) Penner, Amber Penner, Candace (Brendan) Bingham, Leah (Julian) Barker, Japheth (Gillian) Martens, Krysta (Daniel) Friesen, Priscilla (Albert) Giesbrecht, Sheri (Tom) Bueckert, Rebecca, Lindsey, Katherina, Clint David Penner; great grandchildren; Shaylene, Brycen, Karlana Wiebe, Seth Kroeker, Tailor Klassen, Shauna, Mason, Coltin, Francis Nicole Penner, Taylor Marie, Liam James Martens, Cole, Gabrielle, Sutton Brooke, Cruise Friesen, Tommi-Jane Giesbrecht, and Chase Bueckert, sister Alice (John) Dueck and brother John Voth. Hilda was predeceased by her husband David in 2004, one son Henry in 2001, parents Johann and Anna Voth, and sisters Gredel, Tina, Annie and Joan and one brother Willie. Hilda was born March 27, 1925 in Memrick, Russia to Johann and Anna Voth, the third youngest of eight children. When she was two years old they immigrated to Canada. She grew up in the Willow Ridge school district. She and her brother Willie were very close. They were close in age, did their chores together, carried the supply of wood in together and played together. In the summer they took turns riding bare back as the horse pulled the cultivator through the row of potatoes and corn. When Willie was almost finished grade 8, he suddenly became ill with meningitis and passed away at the age of 14. Mother missed him very much. She would talk about him to us often as we were growing up. Mother’s parents were not well and her little sisters needed to go to school. After finishing grade 8, mother stayed home and helped with the different chores that needed to be done, including baking bread when she was 12, cooking and putting meals on the table, as well as helping outside. In the winter of 1945, her mother encouraged her to take a six-week short course in sewing, as she loved to sew. She has made good use of this course over the years, sewing clothing for each child, suits for dad and the boys, as well as dresses, pants, coats – practically everything. We of course were proud to wear them. Mother has written two books: Precious Voth Memories and To Mother with Love. Mother and Dad were both baptized in 1945 in the First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg. In 1946, mother married David H. Penner and moved to his farm in the Landmark area and then to a dairy farm in the Friedensfeld area where they lived for 40 years. They retired to Steinbach in 1993. In 2004 they moved into the Woodhaven Manor where mother lived until now. Mother was a great prayer warrior, and had a wonderful communication with the Lord Jesus. She loved sewing, reading, crocheting, knitting and the outdoors. She always had a listening ear, was a confidant, willing to give of herself to others. On behalf of the family, we would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Bethesda Hospital for their great care and sympathy. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 13, 2006 at the Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, MB. Interment to follow at Heritage Cemetery. If friends so desire donations may be made to the Osteoporosis Society, 870 Portage Ave, Wpg, R3G 0P1