Henry Penner

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Henry Penner — husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend — at the age of 88 on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in Herbert, SK. Henry was born to Jacob & Elizabeth Penner on the family farm by Herbert. He helped on the mixed farming operation as he grew from boy to man, and continued farming until he retired in 1998 and moved into Herbert. Henry attended the Greenfarm M.B. Church and accepted Christ as his Saviour when he was nine years old at West Bank Bible Camp — where he later also became a counsellor. He was baptized when he was 17 years old at the Greenfarm M.B. church, where he also became a member. Henry attended the Rosefarm school until grade eight. He took grade nine and ten, and completed four terms of Bible classes at the Herbert Bible School. He then lived and worked on the family farm, raising cattle and producing grain. He met the beautiful love of his life, Mary Brown, in 1950. After three years of many indecipherable love letters from Henry, Mary consented to marry him. They had a beautiful wedding on November 1, 1953 in Foam Lake, SK. Henry & Mary enjoyed raising their four children — Ken, Carol, Marilyn, and Mark. After the Greenfarm M.B. Church closed, he became a dedicated leader at the Herbert M.B. Church in many capacities, serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and member of the board for the Herbert Senior Home. He also drove a school bus for 26 years. Henry enjoyed camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren, also watching and listening to the birds. Later in life, he spent many hours reading a variety of books. Henry leaves to mourn his wife of 63 years, Mary Penner; his children, Ken (Sharon) Penner of Herbert, Carol (Bob) Bremner of Maple Creek, SK, Marilyn (Paul) Francoeur of Swift Current, SK, and Mark Penner of Herbert; his ten grandchildren, Madalyn Penner, Janell (Nate Coombs) Penner, Matthew Penner, Carrie (David) Carr, Janine (Miranda Mulligan) Bremner, Gayle (Frank) Schmaltz, Robbie (Melissa) Bremner, Tony (Hailey) Francoeur, Nikki (Jordon Duley) Francoeur, and Mitch (Cassie Ries) Francoeur; his nine great-grandchildren, Rowan and Caden Carr, Jade Bremner, Shelby and Taryn Schmaltz, Alexander Kyra, and Braelynd Bremner; his sisters, Mary Penner, Elizabeth Gerbrandt, and Lena (Harry) Gerbrandt; his sister-in-law, Esther Penner; and by many nieces and nephews. Henry was predeceased by his parents, Jacob & Elizabeth Penner; his siblings, Tina Penner, John Penner, Anne (Jacob) Andreas; and by his brother-in-law, Irvin Gerbrandt.

The Funeral Service for Henry Penner was held on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm from Grace Community Church, Herbert, SK with Pastor Lyndon Epp officiating. “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” and “Amazing Grace” were sung by the congregation, with Ruth Newton serving as pianist and Clara Wiebe serving as Organist. Special music was brought by Donovan Epp, who sang “On That Golden Shore.” The tribute was given by Donovan Epp. The ushers in the church were Tim Penner and Scott Gerbrandt. The Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from the 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. Jade Bremner, Alexander Bremner, Shelby Schmaltz, Kyra Bremner, Braelynd Bremner, Taryn Schmaltz, Rowan Carr, Caden Carr, and Jack Francouer served as Honorary Pallbearers.

 Service Information