Obituary of Carrie Penner

Our mother, Carrie Koehn Penner, was born on February 28, 1932, to William and Kadie Koehn. She passed away August 14, 2020, at the Maplewood Manor.

She grew up on a farm in western Kansas during the Dust Bowl Years. She told us stories of walking to school, of playing with her younger brother and sister, and of sharing the last potato in the house with her siblings. Losing her little brother, Junior, was a heartache she never forgot.

Mom answered God’s call and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ on October 22, 1944 by Minister David Koehn. On June 16, 1957, she married Abe Penner. They began their married life in Greenland, Manitoba. When Dad was ordained to the ministry, Mom faithfully supported him in his calling. In spring of 1968 our family moved to a farm south of Mather joining the Cartwright congregation. Our parents served in Sunchild Mission AB, Belize, and Pine River MB. Dad and Mom enjoyed 57 years together. Dad passed away on June 24, 2014, leaving Mom to face life alone.

Mom’s life was a life of service and caring for others. Mom was the heart of our happy home. She liked sparkling clean windows and blooming flowers. She did handwork and mending for all of us, slipping in notes of encouragement with the finished work.  She loved to play games with her children and grandchildren. As her children and grandchildren got married, her family just got bigger. She loved each one as her own.

Mom moved to Maplewood Manor on December 19, 2017. She loved all the residents and staff. She appreciated the ones who stopped in to visit or help with her puzzle. Thank you to the Maplewood family for the excellent care our Mother received.

She leaves behind four daughters and one son: Kathy and Randell Reimer, Cartwright, MB, Sharon and Ken Penner, Altona, MB, Esther Penner, Grace and Brian Toews, John and Jackie Penner, Cartwright, MB, son-in-law Mark Penner, Roseau River, MB, 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, her family Jake and Ila Koehn, Fern Ensz, LaMay Koehn, Leon and Martha Koehn, Melvin Jantzen; sister-in-law, Mildred Penner.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Abe, three brothers and three sisters.

The funeral servvice will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Cartwright, MB., followed by the interment at Cartwright Cemetery.