ELLEN (PETERS) PENNER

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ELLEN (PETERS) PENNER

Ellen Penner slipped into the arms of Jesus on June 20, 2025.



Ellen (Mom) was born in Steinbach, MB to Jacob H. and Maria (Wieler) Peters on May 15, 1934, the ninth of ten children. Her mother became ill and passed away at a young age, and Mom was not able to continue school beyond Grade 8 in order to help her sisters and eventually take over running the household for her dad and brothers. This experience brought out the incredible talents and abilities needed to look after a big family that would continue being a significant part of her future years.

Mom was baptized into the Steinbach Kleine Gemeinde Church (now EMC) upon profession of her faith when she was 17. She was always active in the church as a Sunday School teacher and choir member where her strong alto voice was valued. The strength of her faith was evident throughout her life.

At the age of 15, Mom caught the eye of “Eddie” Penner (Dad) at her cousin’s wedding in Landmark. He asked her if he could give her a ride back to Steinbach, and the rest is history. They were married three years later on October 24, 1952, and settled in Steinbach where their first four boys (Greg, Trav, Bob and Randy) were born.

In those early years together, Mom and Dad would spend winters in Mafeking at the “bush” camp where Mom again used her skills to help her in-laws run the camp kitchen. They lived in an uninsulated cabin with no running water but have always spoken fondly of these years. Dad was so impressed with Mom’s willingness to do this without complaint even though it was barren and rustic by any standards.

Mom and Dad moved to Kola in 1959 where Dad and his brothers set up a new lumberyard and they all worked with other “pioneers” building a new church and community. The remaining two boys (Lawrence and Tony) and daughter (Angela) were born, completing the family of six sons and one daughter.

Mom and Dad built several smaller houses in the early years, and decided to finally build a house big enough for their large family. Everyone was excited to move in and have more room. However, only a year later in the middle of the night of July 13, 1967, a fire completely destroyed the house. Dad had to wake up the kids and get the young family safely out of the burning building while Mom had to keep them from running back in. Everyone was spared even though nothing else could be saved. This experience made a major impact on the whole family and memories were often shared how it brought everyone closer – especially when the family of nine spent a hot summer in a house trailer!



A large construction project took the family on their next adventure to Norway House in 1969 where Mom once again put her skills into action to run the cook shack for dozens of employees – providing them with three full-course meals, two coffee breaks and fresh baking every day. Some “child labour” (the younger kids!) were used to clean tables, sweep floors, and wash lots of dishes - but mostly to keep them occupied and out of trouble. Mom ran it like a pro, even setting up a small store to provide treats for the workers and community. It was another real family bonding experience in a strange new setting and showed once again how Mom could adapt to new circumstances and continuous hard work. There really was nothing she couldn’t do.

Returning back to Kola the following year, Mom continued her involvement in the church and community. She was well known for her huge gardens used for canning and freezing, feeding the farming crew in the field, BIG Sunday dinners, and often hosting extended family gatherings at home and Clear Lake. She was forever cooking, baking, knitting, sewing, mending. AND with all that - one of her proudest accomplishments was obtaining her High School GED at the age of 62.

Mom and Dad exemplified a loving, supportive relationship. They always worked as a team and brought the whole family together at home, in business and on the farm. Given the family size and strong personalities all around, this was no small feat!

Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling for business, pleasure and missions all over the world. They drove to Florida for 35 consecutive winters and enjoyed every one of them - and Mom always had a spooky story of some interesting brush with danger from their trips. Dad was usually silently listening to the details along with the rest of us. She was a storyteller and, along with her sister Marie, would always say ”never let the truth get in the way of a good story”.

In 2014, Mom and Dad moved off the farm to Virden. The house was a little smaller but still had lots of space to entertain and for impromptu family get togethers. They enjoyed living next door to Trav and Rose where they were well looked after.

In 2020 they moved to Rotary Villas (RV) in Brandon, where they made many new friends, and re-connected with some former neighbours from back home. Mom greatly enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, in-house church services, sing-alongs, and of course family visits. Although they missed Florida and getting out of the cold weather, they stayed inside and kept their apartment VERY WARM to make up for it! Mom was known at RV as the best dressed woman and “the whistler”, with a song for every occasion.

Mom had a few encounters with health issues over the years but always managed to get through them. However, following a major stroke on December 28, 2024, her last six months were very difficult, with being in and out of hospital and brief placement in a care home. Dad and the family are so grateful for the care provided by the medical staff at Health Sciences Centre, Brandon General Hospital, Assiniboine Centre, Restorative Health and Daughter-on-Call.

A Special thank you to the Palliative staff that cared for Mom in her final days.

Mom is survived by Edgar, her husband of 72 years; sons: Greg (Diane); Travis (Rose); Bob (Martha); Lawrence (Rebecca); daughter Angela (Dieter) Meier; 14 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.

Mom was predeceased by: grandson Steven Konkin; son Randy; daughter-in-law Angela; son Tony; parents, Jacob and Maria Peters, and all of her siblings.

In the days since her passing, condolences often noted her kind words, beautiful smile, her classiness and her grace. She is already greatly missed, but we know she has now been wholly healed and is rejoicing in her Heavenly home.

We will meet her again, and the circle will be unbroken!

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday June 28, 2025, at the Kola Evangelical Mennonite Church (EMC) in Kola, MB. Viewing prior to the service, burial to follow in the church cemetery. Attendees are invited to stay for a reception to celebrate Mom’s life with us.

In lieu of flowers, for those who so desire memorial tributes in memory of Ellen may be made to Kola EMC, P.O. Box 40, Kola, MB R0M 1B0 or electronically at kolaemc@outlook.com

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.

 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 28, 2025