Mary Penner

Mary Penner, age 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 9, 2022 at Willow Creek Manor, Swift Current, SK. Mary was born February 14, 1929 to Nikolas & Kathrine Brown at Beaver Flat, SK.

Mary accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and was baptized by sprinkler on July 17, 1946 —she then joined the Ebenezer Conference Church in Parkview, SK. Mary was married the love of her life, Henry Penner, on November 1, 1953 in Foam Lake, SK. She was baptized by immersion in 1958 and joined the Greenfarm Mennonite Brethren Church in 1961. Later, they joined the Herbert Mennonite Brethren Church where Mary was involved with Ladies Aid, Gideons, and with Henry as deacons.

Mary & Henry settled on the farm south of Herbert where they raised their four children. Mary always had a bountiful vegetable and fruit garden and grew the most beautiful flowers. She also had very talented hands that lovingly created beautiful clothes, doilies, afghans, toques, mitts, scarves, and quilts.

Mary was a wonderful cook and could make a delicious meal fit for royalty out of practically nothing. She always had delicious homemade bread and buns, no one ever left her house hungry.

Upon retiring from farming, Mary & Henry moved to Herbert in 1998. There, Mary continued with her garden and flowers and many handmade gifts to her children and grandchildren.

Mary loved having special dinners for all the family to get together with lots of great food and plenty of laughs and fun. She loved playing board games with her children and grandchildren.

Mary moved to Prairie Wind Estates in August 2017 after Henry’s passing. She then moved to Willow Creek Manor after breaking her hip.

Mary as a woman, mother, and wife had an abundant amount of patience, kindness, caring, and love. These priceless traits are what shaped her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and everyone who had the privilege of being with her.

All who knew Mary will feel an enormous emptiness now that she is gone, but we know that heaven has gained a wonderful angel.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Henry Penner; her parents, Nikolas & Kathrine Brown; and by her siblings, Nick (Bonnie) Brown, Cornelius Brown, Ben (Liz) Brown, John Brown, Pete Brown, William Brown, and Tine (John) Schellenberg.

Mary leaves to mourn her children, Ken (Sharon) Penner, Carol (Bob) Bremner, Marilyn (Paul) Francoeur, and Mark Penner; her ten grandchildren, Madalyn Penner, Jenelle (Nate) Penner, Matthew (Teanna) Penner, Carrie (David) Carr, Janine Bremner, Gayle (Frank) Schmaltz, Robbie (Mellissa) Bremner, Tony (Hailey) Francoeur, and Nikki (Jordan) Duley, Mitch (Cassie) Francoeur; her great-grandchildren, Rowan and Caden Carr, Jade Bremner, Shelby and Taryn Schmaltz, Alexander, Kyra, and Braelynd Bremner, Jack and Louie Francoeur, and Mason Francoeur; her sisters-in-law, Anne (John) Brown and Anne (Cornelius) Brown; and by many nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service for Mary Penner was held on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 2:00 pm from Grace Community Church, Herbert, SK with Pastor Donovan Epp and Pastor Brent Hackney officiating. “How Great Thou Art” and “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” were sung by the congregation, with Ruth Newton serving as pianist. Special music was brought by Mark Penner and Donovan Epp, who sang “I Don’t Want to Say Goodbye.” Tributes were given by Mary’s grandkids and by Donovan Epp.

The Private Family Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK with Carrie Carr, Nikki Francoeur, Janine Bremner, Mitch Francoeur, Gayle Schmaltz, Madalyn Penner, Robbie Bremner, Janell Penner, Tony Francoeur, and Matthew Penner serving as Pallbearers. The Honorary Pallbearers were Jade Bremner, Alexander Bremner, Shelby Schmaltz, Kyra Bremner, Braelynd Bremner, Taryn Schmaltz, Rowan Carr, Caden Carr, Jack Francoeur, Louie Francoeur, and Mason Francoeur.

The service was recorded and can be viewed here, the service card is also available below the obituary.

In memory of Mary Penner, donations made to West Bank Bible Camp and Gideons International – Shareword Global would be appreciated by the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Penner, please visit our floral store.