John Reinold Penner

John Reinold Penner of Grandview, Manitoba passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at the age of 87 years.

 Public Viewing & visitation will be offered on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm from the Grandview Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church.

A Funeral Service will be held for John on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 10:30 am from the Grandview Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church in Grandview with  Pastor Rodney Froese officiating.  To listen to the audio of the service use this link in your web browser:  https://listentochurch.com/listen/grandview

Interment will follow in the Grandview Mennonite Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of John may be made to  Grandview Gateways. 

John Reinold Penner, called Johnny by many, was a dear husband, dad, papa, and great-papa. He was born to John D. Penner and Katherine Loewen Penner on July 12, 1935 at Morris, MB. He unexpectedly passed away with family by his side at the Russell Health Centre on July 29, 2022, reaching the age of 87 years.

Dad’s childhood and youth years were spent on the family farm with his siblings. His mother passed away when he was 8 years old. His father remarried seven months later. Dad received the 8 years of his education, a short walk across the road, at the Rosenort Country School. As a young man, he answered the call of the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Rosenort, MB. His Christian faith was dear to him.

On October 7th, 1958, Dad married the love of his life, Naomi Goossen. God granted them almost 64 years together. Their home was blessed with 4 sons and 1 daughter. In 1962, they relocated from Rosenort, MB to a new congregation at Grandview, MB. Dad and Mom lived in a small house with their young family, until they built a new home 9 years later. In 2002, they moved into their retirement home in the town of Grandview, where they resided until his passing.

Dad enjoyed telling stories and socializing. He had a dry sense of humour that brought chuckles to many of us. Dad was a devoted and caring husband and father, a true friend to man, and always concerned for everyone around him. His children and grandchildren’s spiritual lives were important to him.

He enjoyed taking his family on outings to the lake for a picnic and fishing. Many memories were made on a family trip to Ontario to visit Uncle Denver and Aunt Naomi and their family. Dad built many kitchen cabinets but his main occupation was farming the land and hogs. Countless trips were made to Winnipeg hauling hogs to market, with the 1974-1 ton truck, often taking one of the children along. Lunch was packed at home but supper was in Neepawa on the way home. Together with the boys, he became involved with the Penner Logging operation.

One highlight for Dad and Mom was a trip to the Holy Lands in 1984. They made many life long friends.

Dad served many years on the Grandview Gateways board, an organization that provides support for vulnerable adults living with intellectual disabilities. He enjoyed interacting with the community, going to the Friendly Corner Bakeshop daily. He was often seen driving around checking crops; stopping in to check on the boys; picking up parts and taking them wherever needed, on the farm or for the logging operation.

During the last 23 years of Dad’s life, he faced numerous health issues which became a burden to him, and yet we feel God granted him a few extra years with us. An impromptu birthday party was planned a couple weeks ago. It was a beautiful evening spent on the front ramp eating ice cream cake; a memory that will be treasured forever.

Those left to cherish precious memories are his wife, Naomi; his children: Galen and Rosalie, Grandview, MB; Lowell and Bev, Grandview, MB; Merle and Sheryl, Grandview, MB; Wanda and Dave Hill, Bow Island, AB; Jamie and Carla, Grandview, MB; grandchildren: Jessica and Clark Litwiller, Caitlin and Travis Friesen, Joshua and Hazel Penner, Colby and Brittany Penner, Jakali Penner, Benjamin Penner, Brycen Penner, Kacey Penner, Chloe Penner, Brody Hill, Brooklyn Hill, and ElleAnne Penner; 6 great grandchildren. 7 brothers: Gladwin and Ella, Leonard and Evelyn, Melvin and Elvera, Ken and Darlene, Wayne and Phyllis, Rick and Karen, Darrell and Carolyn; 2 sisters: Dolores Miller, Janet and James Goossen. 4 brothers-in-law; Lee and Neomi Hiebert; Bert and Rosalyn Penner, Brian and Dolores Goossen, Randall and Julie Goossen. 4 sisters-in-law; Pauline Penner, Naomi Penner, Frances Goossen, Emilie Goossen; close friend, Shirley Fast who called him Papa John; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, parents-in-law, 5 brothers, 5 sisters, 5 brothers-in-law, and 3 sisters-in-law.

Acknowledgments:

The Penner Family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers, words of encouragement, cards, food, and expressions of sympathy during this difficult time.

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