Obituary of Ben Penner

Bernhard Penner, beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, step grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend lost his battle with cancer at Bethesda Hospital, surrounded by his family, and went home to be with Jesus on the evening of December 25, 2023.

Ben was born to Bernhard and Anna Penner on March 26, 1949. The 4^th of 11 children, he grew up on a farm near Horndean, but left the homestead as a young man and moved to Winnipeg for employment. It was during these years he met and married Viola Letkeman with whom he had three children, Scott, Corwin, and Amanda.

Ben moved his young family to Kleefeld in 1978, where they attended the Kleefeld EMC church, and he was baptized in June of 1979. Ben found employment at Penner Transfer (later International) where he worked as a trailer mechanic for 36 and half years. When their children grew older they moved to Steinbach in 1987.

His first marriage ended after 26 years, and he later married Marge on March 6, 1999, adding to his family her three children, Lee, Trevor and Sherry.

Ben loved to travel, and his many trips with Marge to Mexico and the Dominican Republic were some of his favourite memories.  He loved the Spanish language and had learned enough to get by while on vacation.

Ben was community-minded and served seniors at church, and also spent 7 years on the MCC board. While going through his own cancer journey, Ben volunteered with Wheels of Hope, giving others rides to Winnipeg when needed.

While Ben had a love for words in regard to reading, doing crosswords and being pretty competitive when it came to Scrabble, he also enjoyed photography, watching sports including hockey, baseball and football, and attending his grandchildren’s many events. 

Ben had a great sense of humour; he was patient and kind, which was evident in the way he lived out his last years as he interacted with others, knowing he was not long for this world.

Although he will be dearly missed, it brings us comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain, and that he is with his heavenly father.

Ben is survived by his wife Marge, his sons Scott (Ursula), Corwin (Donna), and daughter Amanda (Nick), grandchildren Jordyn and Megan, Dante and Cerulean. Also his step children Lee (Kathy), Trevor (Kristie), and Sherry (Ivan), step grandchildren Melina and Sara, Joey and Lucy, Rebecca and Nathaniel.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB with viewing prior to the service. 

A private family burial will take place at Heritage Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or Wheels of Hope.

To donate online to Wheels of Hope, click HERE, and direct donation to transportation.