Obituary of Katherine Penner

Katherine Penner, nee Goertzen, of Steinbach, MB, passed away Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, following months of declining health. 

Katherine was born on August 2, 1924, in Steinfeld, Russia (Ukraine). 

Katherine is survived by son Rick (Susan), their son Jonathan (Jenetta) and their children Ohana and Lynn; daughter Jessica Christian (Ashish) and their children Priya and Josiah; son Joel (Emily) and their children Ella, Jacob and Caleb; daughter Judy Johnstone (Kyle) and their children Katey and Aliyah.

She is also survived by son Harv (Bettie), their son Adam (Tanya) and their children Meghan and Dylan (Bethany); their son Greg (Tanya) and their son Isaiah; their son Luke (Nathalie).

Katherine is also survived by daughter Margaret and her daughters Cynthia Dyck (Chris) and their sons Carson and Caleb; and daughter Stacey Shortt (Dan). 

She is survived by two brothers, Bill (Donna) Goertzen and Irvin (Helen) Goertzen. She is also survived by sister-in-law Lydia Penner and Maryann Warkentin (Jake).

Katherine was predeceased in 1986 by her husband John and by her parents David and Margaret Goertzen. Also predeceasing Katherine in death, her brother Dave and sisters Margaret, Mary, and Linda. In addition, siblings David, Isaac and Annie died in infancy and in transit from Russia, and by her in-laws Jacob and Margaret Penner and all of John's siblings, Mary and Jake Wiens, Jake and Katie Penner, Rudy Penner, Anne and George Krahn, Erica and Henry Lepp, and Margaret Martens and nephews Larry Penner and Rudy Krahn.

After elementary education Katherine began work as a domestic to help pay back expenses incurred by her family to escape Communist Russia and relocate to Canada. She saved money and proudly purchased a Singer treadle sewing machine which was put to good use for many years and is still a prized possession in her family. After their marriage in 1945, John and Katherine purchased a farm near Steinbach and worked that farm until her husband’s passing. Her children learned their work ethic from their parent’s example of hard work on the farm. Katherine was fully a partner with her husband in the many farm chores and activities. She was a proficient gardener and loved her flowers and yard work.  

Katherine was baptized in 1947 together with her husband John, and they were lifelong members of the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church. She was involved in its many activities until her health rendered service impossible. In addition, she served countless hours volunteering with Mission Sisters, MCC, Steinbach Thrift Store, and the local Mennonite Heritage Museum.

Truly it can be said of Katherine that “her children (and family and friends) rise up and call her blessed!” Proverbs 31:28. Her presence, love, encouragements and friendship will be sorely missed by all who knew her! 

Viewing will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

A private family interment at Memorial Cemetery, Steinbach, MB, will take place prior to the service.

The funeral service for Katherine Penner will take place Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. 

If friends so desire donations can be made to MCC, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9, or Square One World Media, 225 Riverton Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0N1.