Obituary of Kenton Penner

Kenton Glade Penner was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 28, 1961. At six months of age, he was adopted by Gladwin and Ella Penner of Rosenort, MB. He passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024, at the age of 63, at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Winkler, MB.

At the age of 18, Kenton started working at Westfield Industries building augers, and continued that for the next six years. He also enjoyed working together with his dad and siblings on the family farm.

He met me, Julie Friesen, in 1979. We were married on September 27, 1980, when Kenton was 19. In 1986 we bought a farm near Lowe Farm, Manitoba, and he started his lifelong career of farming grain and hogs. When his parents retired in 1999, we moved to the home farm, and in 2001 he built a hog barn that he worked in until he became ill last fall. We shared just over 43 years together. This union was blessed with three children: two sons and one daughter. He loved his children dearly, and we have many happy memories of our trips to the Black Hills, as well as camping and fishing. But his greatest joy was farming with his children.

The Lord called Kenton at the tender age of 13. He answered the call and felt at peace, but soon became discouraged. He became an alcoholic early on and faced many struggles and difficulties throughout his life. Although the Lord delivered him from this addiction fourteen years ago, he still struggled with other things in his life. Then in his late 50's, God drew near again, and he endeavored to answer the call. He loved singing and would go to the Maplewood Manor not only to visit his parents, but to listen to the devotions and sometimes join in with the singing.

Then on September 26, 2023, he received the news that he had stage four cancer, and he accepted the news with calm resignation. That day after the news came, he was on the field driving the sprayer and the song " Do you have the first love the Saviour gave you, is the fire still burning in your soul?" came to him, and he felt such a peace come into his heart. That experience was so precious to him, and he surrendered his life to God once again. This peace stayed with him till the end, and he felt at rest and ready to meet his loving Lord. Prayer became especially important to him, and every night he would pray with me. He would thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy, and the plan of salvation.

Although he endured a lot of pain last two months of his life, he suffered patiently, and we never heard him complain. We as a family will miss him dearly as will many friends who's lives he touched. Our hearts ache as we begin to go on without him.

Leaving to mourn his passing are his wife Julie, sons Tyson and Stan, daughter Jana, and parents Gladwin and Ella, as well as siblings Cheryl and Gerald Loewen of Greybull Wyoming, David and Peggy of Morris Manitoba, Barry and Yaryna of Morris Manitoba, and Barb and Rod Peters of Fountain Run, Kentucky. Also left to mourn are many in-laws, friends, cousins, uncles, and other relatives.

How thankful we are for the grace of God, and the blessed hope of seeing him again in Heaven!

The public viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. with devotional at 7:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. To join the family for the devotion, click HERE prior to the service.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at Red River Church of God in Christ, Rosenort, MB., with interment to follow at the church cemetery.