Obituary of Anna Penner

Anna Penner (Nee Friesen), age 89 of Steinbach, MB, formerly of Landmark, MB, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 65 years, Henry Penner, her six children, Ken (Lorna), Carl (Edna), Harold (Grace), Paul (Gayle), Ernie (Suzy), and Sandra; her 9 grandchildren and their spouses, 18 great-grandchildren and her sister Martha Toews.

Anna was predeceased by one sister and six brothers.

Mom was born December 23, 1930 to Abram and Mary Friesen near Satanta, Kansas on the family farm.  The dry years in the early thirties caused crop failures that brought her family back to Manitoba in 1935.  The family made a fresh start on a farm in Heubode, an area between New Bothwell and Kleefeld.  Mom excelled in school and often mentioned that she would have loved to go to school beyond grade 8 but was needed at home to help on the farm.  Later she was working at Concordia Hospital where she met Henry and their courtship began.  After their marriage in 1954, Mom & Dad lived in Winnipeg for several years, eventually moving to a country property near Landmark.  It was here they raised their family and put down roots for 54 years, moving to Steinbach in 2013 when the house and yard became too much to care for.

Mom has left a legacy of love, integrity, a sense of humor, determination, hard work, hospitality, strength and creativity.   She was known by family and friends for her skills in gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, and crocheting.   She loved to work outside, tending to her flowers and growing an abundance of fruits and vegetables required to sustain the appetites of a growing family of 5 sons and 1 daughter.

Mom had a deep strong faith that was expressed in her commitment to seeing her children walk with the Lord, and her faithful support of church ministries.  She was baptized in the Kleefeld EMC and then became a member of the Prairie Rose EMC. 

Mom also cared deeply for her family and showed her love for us most often in providing delicious meals for us all.  Faspa was on the table in short order for all who dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, and for many years as the family grew, single handedly prepared amazing meals for family gatherings. While we mourn her death, we take comfort in knowing she has been welcomed to her eternal home in heaven where she has been healed from her struggles with dementia.

Viewing will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB with a short devotional at 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Prairie Rose EMC, Landmark, MB.

The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care Mom received from Dr. Duerksen and the main floor staff at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in the last months of her life. We also appreciate all the visits and prayers from her family, church family and friends.

Donations in memory of Anna may be made to a charity of one’s choice.