Obituaries | The Messenger 38 18 2000

Menno Penner

1936-2000

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

On August 17, 2000, while being transferred to the Arborg hospital, Menno Penner joined loved ones in heaven, after suffering a severe stroke the day before.

Menno was born to Abram and Mary Penner on January 25, 1936 in Greenland, Manitoba. He received his education in the Greenland School District. Menno excelled in his studies, and would eagerly await Friday afternoons for art or woodworking classes. These two hobbies stayed with him throughout his adult life.

He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and was baptized in March of 1951 at the Blumenort Church. As a teenager he worked on his father’s farm and took on various jobs. On October 5, 1958, Menno married his sweetheart, Mary Thiessen, in Mennville, Manitoba.

Menno thrived in his chosen vocation of carpentry and later took on his father’s chicken farm. He built many beautiful cabinets in the surrounding area, including our new church kitchen. He also built invaluable toys for his children and grandchildren. Along with farming and carpentry he was ordained to the ministry in 1970. He officiated at four of his children’s weddings.

Menno had a keen interest in missions and enjoyed three terms of mission work in Seminole and Tigertown, Texas. His involvement in the church was extensive. He served as a minister, church treasurer and volunteered on various local outreaches: Bible camp, extension Sunday school and DVBS.

In the year of 1988, Menno suffered a slight heart attack followed by depression, which he courageously overcame.

Menno loved each member of his family, and looked forward to them coming home for holidays and weekends. His seven grandchildren were the light of his life. He was deeply loved and appreciated by all, and will be greatly missed. His memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Menno is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Mary; his four daughters: Lois and Tim Neufeld, Hanna and Kaylee of Arborg, MB; Pat and Garry Barkman, and Chelsea of Riverton, MB; Shannon Penner of Red Deer, AB; Sheila Penner and friend, Sandy Taddeo of Red Deer, AB; two sons: Robert and Gloria Penner of Arborg, MB; and Michael and Connie Penner, Anthony, Andrew, Austin and Aaron of Pickle Lake, ON; his second mother Martha; three sisters and their families; his mother-in-law, Katherine Thiessen; Mary’s six brothers, eight sisters and their families.

Menno was predeceased by his father Abram, mother Mary, father-in-law David Thiessen, and three infant children.

We would like to thank the Arborg paramedics for their quick response. We would also like to thank the hospital staff in Arborg and at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

As a family we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the heartfelt sympathy and love extended to us in our bereavement. We thank you all.

His Family

Sarah Redekopp

1920-2000

Sarah Redekopp, aged 80 years, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2000 at the Palliser Regional Hospital in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The funeral service was held Tuesday, October 3, from Swift Current EMC, with Pastor Mel Koop officiating. The interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Swift Current. Pallbearers were Chrys Knelsen, Kevin Knelsen, Darcy Redekopp, Jared Redekopp, Scott Redekopp and Randy Redekopp.

Sarah was born on March 6, 1920, to Frank and Elizabeth Olfert in Reinfeld, Sask. On April 24, 1943, she married Abe Redekopp. During their first years of marriage they lived near Neidpath. In 1948, they moved to the Olfert homestead in Reinfeld, and lived there until moving to Swift Current in 1976.

Sarah was a devoted wife and mother. She showed her support with smiles, food, gifts and prayers. She enjoyed cooking for her family. She also enjoyed crocheting various items for their use. Many missionaries, 5-day club workers, relatives and friends enjoyed the hospitality she offered. Sarah’s generosity and warm smiles will be missed.

After suffering several strokes and heart attacks, Sarah entered the hospital for the last time on August 12, 2000. It was with great sadness that she realized that her years at home were over, but with a faith that God would raise her up again to life, she waited patiently for the end to come.

Sarah leaves to mourn her passing her beloved husband, Abe, her children: Walter (Lena) Redekopp, Sally (Jake) Knelsen, Frank (Shirley) Redekopp, Leonard (Sheila) Redekopp; her grandchildren: Chrys (Kym) Knelsen, Corinne (Greg) Miller, Kevin (Marnie) Knelsen, Brian Redekopp, Dwayne Redekopp, Scott Redekopp, Daren (Renee) Redekopp, Jared Redekopp, Randy Redekopp, Darcy Redekopp and Rob Ryan; her great-grandchildren Noah Miller, and Destiny and Danielle Drinkwalter. She is also survived by her brothers Abe Olfert and Jacob (Esther) Olfert, and her sisters Annie Fast, Katherine Unrau, Helen (George) Driedger, Mary (Marlin) Hanson, Neta Spitzer, her brothers-in-law Bob Shaw and Jake Teichrib, sisters-in-law Helen Olfert, Mary Olfert, Susan Olfert, Margaret Friesen, Mary Redekopp, and Anne (Jake) Schmidt, and many nieces and nephews.

Sarah Redekopp was predeceased by her parents and two stepmothers, brothers Frank Olfert, Cornelius Olfert and Isaac Olfert, sisters Elizabeth (Jake) Dyck, Maria Olfert, Margaret Shaw and Susan Teichrib; brothers-in-law Peter Giesbrecht, George Fast, Jake Unrau, Ray Glenn, Milton Spitzer, Jacob Redekopp, Ben (Mary) Heppner, Abe Friesen, George Friesen, and John (Susan) Redekopp; and a grandson Kenneth Knelsen in 1991.

Donations in honour of Sarah Redekopp may be made to the Heart and Stroke Fund. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home of Swift Current.

Her Family

Volume 38 Number 18 October 18, 2000
Obituaries Menno Penner 1936-2000 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8). On August 17, 2000, while being transferred to the Arborg hospital, Menno Penner joined loved ones in heaven, after suffering a severe stroke the day before. Menno was born to Abram and Mary Penner on January 25, 1936 in Greenland, Manitoba. He received his education in the Greenland School District. Menno excelled in his studies, and would eagerly await Friday afternoons for art or woodworking classes. These two hobbies stayed with him throughout his adult life. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and was baptized in March of 1951 at the Blumenort Church. As a teenager he worked on his father’s farm and took on various jobs. On October 5, 1958, Menno married his sweetheart, Mary Thiessen, in Mennville, Manitoba. Menno thrived in his chosen vocation of carpentry and later took on his father’s chicken farm. He built many beautiful cabinets in the surrounding area, including our new church kitchen. He also built invaluable toys for his children and grandchildren. Along with farming and carpentry he was ordained to the ministry in 1970. He officiated at four of his children’s weddings. Menno had a keen interest in missions and enjoyed three terms of mission work in Seminole and Tigertown, Texas. His involvement in the church was extensive. He served as a minister, church treasurer and volunteered on various local outreaches: Bible camp, extension Sunday school and DVBS. In the year of 1988, Menno suffered a slight heart attack followed by depression, which he courageously overcame. Menno loved each member of his family, and looked forward to them coming home for holidays and weekends. His seven grandchildren were the light of his life. He was deeply loved and appreciated by all, and will be greatly missed. His memory will remain in our hearts forever. Menno is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Mary; his four daughters: Lois and Tim Neufeld, Hanna and Kaylee of Arborg, MB; Pat and Garry Barkman, and Chelsea of Riverton, MB; Shannon Penner of Red Deer, AB; Sheila Penner and friend, Sandy Taddeo of Red Deer, AB; two sons: Robert and Gloria Penner of Arborg, MB; and Michael and Connie Penner, Anthony, Andrew, Austin and Aaron of Pickle Lake, ON; his second mother Martha; three sisters and their families; his mother-in-law, Katherine Thiessen; Mary’s six brothers, eight sisters and their families. Menno was predeceased by his father Abram, mother Mary, father-in-law David Thiessen, and three infant children. We would like to thank the Arborg paramedics for their quick response. We would also like to thank the hospital staff in Arborg and at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. As a family we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the heartfelt sympathy and love extended to us in our bereavement. We thank you all. His Family