Obituary of Tina Penner

Tina Penner, 89, of Steinbach, MB., formerly of Roseau River, passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

Mom lived independently at Fernwood Place after the passing of her beloved husband John Penner.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Katherine (Leonard), Elizabeth (Ike), Edward (Yvonne), David (Joyce), William “Bill” (Brenda) and their families; 16 grandchildren and their spouses; and 38 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers: Jake & Susan, Henry & Ann, Cornie & Elsie; one sister Sarah; two sisters-in-law: Elma and Ann; and one brother-in-law Bill.

Mom was predeceased by her loving husband John Penner, her parents John & Sarah Thiessen, five brothers and four sisters.

Mom grew up on the family farm in the Stuartburn/Roseau River area. She enjoyed living the farm life of milking cows, making hay, feeding calves and whatever else came her way. Mom was very ambitious and always tried her best at making things work out.

She was an avid gardener. She would plant a huge vegetable garden and her favourite part of gardening was her flower garden. She lived to watch her flowers bloom especially her Red Rose bushes.

Mom was also very giving of her time which she showed in the ways she volunteered in the community: she taught 4-H sewing, cooking and gardening, she taught Sunday School for many years, she volunteered at MCC Store in Grunthal, and worked at Roseau River Bible Camp.

Mom and dad both loved to help out at RRBC, they helped wherever they were able with cooking for kids camp and seniors camp. In spring, mom and dad would spend countless hours cleaning and getting cabins ready for kids camp.

Mom was the President of the Ladies Sewing Circle. We would like to know how many quilts were hand-quilted by mom and her friends in our parents basement. But what we do know is the love and fellowship that entertained around that quilt frame made many friendships. Mom loved to have the ladies over for quilting. Dad did as well, he would help with coffee and lunches for the ladies.

Now in later years after mom and dad moved to Steinbach, mom would knit hundreds and maybe thousands of dolls for children in hospitals, shoe boxes for Samaritans Purse and of course her great-grandchildren. She also spent many hours hand embroidering for mission projects and for her children and grandchildren. She hand embroidered quilt blocks for each grandchild to make a quilt.

The last few years at Fernwood she loved to visit and puzzle with her with her friends. She made a special connection with Ruby who she would have lunch with until Ruby passed a few months ago.

Mom spent many hours on the phone to keep in contact with her family and friends. She loved hearing what everyone was busy with and just checking that we were all good and well. Mom had a big heart for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved each one of them. We will miss her unconditional love.

A public come and go viewing will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Stuartburn Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, followed by a private graveside service.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 10th, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Grunthal, MB. 

We as a family would like to send a special thanks to: Darryl & Joyce Peters for diligently picking mom up for church, Bill Nickel for doing the service, the staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre and Health Sciences Centre for taking great care of mom, and Birchwood Funeral Chapel for their services.