Nellie Penner

Nellie Agnes (Klassen) Penner, age 86, of Swift Current, SK passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at The Meadows – House 8 with her family at her side. Nellie was born on March 4, 1936 on the family farm northwest of Herbert, SK to Cornelius & Anna Klassen, the youngest of twelve children.

Nellie married John Penner on December 8, 1956 and together, they were blessed with two children – Brian (1958) and Donna (1961).

Over the years, she was employed as a private housekeeper, short order cook and a laundry aide at the Swift Current Union Hospital — retiring from the hospital in 1992 after twenty years of service.

Nellie enjoyed cleaning her house, daily walks, gardening, baking, canning, sewing, crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, quilting, and many other crafts — she refused to be idle. She loved family vacations, they took trips to Northern Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and down into the US — most memorable were the trips to Hawaii.

Her life was complete when the grandchildren and later, the great-grandchildren, arrived. She had a special place in her heart for each, always a call or a brief visit, especially on their birthday, making sure they knew how much she loved them. Our lives are richer and we have been so blessed to have had such a loving Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma.

In her later years, it became more and more apparent how much she had loved her childhood and the many memories of the farm, her parents, and siblings — as each of them passed before her, she so longed to see and be with them once again. She so appreciated the calls she would receive from her nieces and nephews to reminisce and hear the latest happenings in their families.

Nellie is survived by her children, Brian (Carolyn) Penner and Donna Penner; her grandchildren, Nathan (Jenna) Penner, Melissa (Duane) Reimer, Miranda (Kent) Robertson, Krystia (Richard) Elgar, and Shalayna (Tyler) Fleury; her nine great-grandchildren, Ollie, Vada, Paityn, Kensie, Natalie, London, Caleb, Zoey, and Lily; and by many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, John (March 30, 2022); her parents, Cornelius Klassen (January 4, 1950) and Anna Klassen (December 28, 1980); her brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter (Kay), Edward (Mary), Irwin (Anne), Daniel, Elmer (Ann), Victor (Alma) and Lorent (Isabel); her sisters and brothers-in-law, Anne (Neil Tilitzky), Amanda (Bernard Giesbrecht), Eva (Jacob Martens), Martha (Dave Wall) and Bertha (Milton Leischner); and by all her Penner brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Special recognition to Dr. Sam Bakare, the Homecare staff and The Meadows staff — Nurse Practitioner’s, RN’s, LPN’s, Care Aides, Food Service and Recreation — all those associated with House 8 — you are all so loved for the care provided to our Mom. We also recognize the volunteers who are a big part of the activities program — the Messengers of Hope ministries, who weekly present their program of encouragement to the residents, and to Bob Cappelle for his services as Chaplain. You all make a difference, you are and have been a blessing.

A Private Family Graveside Service for Nellie Penner took place from Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK. The service card can be viewed below.

In memory of Nellie Penner and for those wishing, donations made to Messenger of Hope, c/o Swift Current Funeral Home would be appreciated by the family. Messenger of Hope is a ministry service offered to residents of the Meadows.

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