Marcella Penner Friesen was born to Edward D. and Helena Goossen Penner on May 6, 1932 in Rosenort, MB. Our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother left us for her heavenly home on Thursday, October 24, 2019, after a short illness. She made her flight, with a few children at her bedside, at the Maplewood Manor in Steinbach, reaching the age of 87. Mom gave her heart to God and was baptized on November 27, 1944 by her uncle, John D. Penner, being faithful to the end. She had a simple trusting faith in God. She married our father, Maynard Friesen, in Rosenort on April 8, 1956. Mom was a devoted wife and homemaker for 62 years until Dad left us in the spring of 2018. She accepted Dad’s illness and death and valiantly carried on alone. Mom faithfully supported Dad in his deaconry, including travelling with him to church annual meetings many times. Hospitality and frugality were a part of her life. Their first home was at the new congregation near Whitemouth. This is where their family of four boys and two girls were born and raised. Mom was always there for us, loving us unconditionally. In the fall of 1979, we moved to the Roblin area. Dad and Mom spent three years as missionaries in Manila, Philippines, and also a couple of 3-month stints in Springdale, Newfoundland. Mom enjoyed reasonably good health until 10 months ago when she suffered a stroke, affecting her speech. She then moved to the Maplewood Manor in Steinbach where she received excellent care. Although this move was hard for her she was very accepting of the circumstances, endearing her to staff and residents there. Those left to cherish fond memories are: Calvin and Julia; Judith and Barry James; Donita and Bradley Isaac of Roblin, MB.; Lester and Hannah of Creston, BC.; Rudy and Michelle, Lynwood and Lynette of Roblin, MB.; twenty three grandchildren and twenty four great-grandchildren; five sisters: Gladys (Sherwin) Friesen, Joyce Penner, Joanne Penner, Helena (Glenn) Schneider, Stella Penner; three brothers: Stanley (Lenora) Penner, Harold (Ruth) Penner, Roland (Doris) Penner, one sister-in-law: Frances Penner; two brothers-in-law: Ed R. Penner and Jac Isaac; Dad’s family: four brothers-in-law: Earvey (Tina) Friesen, Herb Friesen, Orville (Nina) Friesen and Jesse (Henrietta) Friesen; one sister-in-law: Darlene Ensz; and a host of extended family and friends. Preceding her in death were: her husband Maynard, her parents, one brother, five sisters, her parents-in-law, three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., at Roblin Church of God in Christ, Roblin, MB.