Bertha Penner (1912-2009)

PENNER, FRIESEN, EPP, NEWMAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/30/2009 at 08:13:13

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, April 1, 2008.

Bertha Penner, 96 ,of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, died on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Visitation was at Bjerum Funeral Home in Mountain Lake on Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Bjerum Funeral Home on Monday March 16, 2009 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and continued for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Services were held at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The Clergy was Pastor Galen Kauffman, Pastor Amy Nissley, and Pastor Dennis Siebert. The organist was Rosella Baerg.

The casketbearers were Bertha's grandchildren Allan Penner, Aaron Penner, Andrew Penner, Anna Penner, Nathan Newman, Matthew Newman and Amanda Newman

Interment was in First Mennonite Cemetery north of Butterfield, Minnesota.

E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Bertha E. Friesen was born on Nov. 21, 1912 to Bernhard D. and Margaretha (Epp) Friesen near Henderson, Nebraska. She received her education at a country school near her home. On June 4, 1933 Bertha was baptized upon confession of her faith at the Bethesda Church in Henderson, Nebraska. Bertha helped care for children and did housework for families prior to her marriage. Bertha was united in marriage to David D. Penner on Sept. 2, 1948 at Henderson, Nebraska. The couple made their home and farmed near Darfur, Minnesota, where they raised their children. In 1981 they moved into Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Following Mr. Penner's death on August 17, 1990. Bertha continued to make her home in Mountain Lake, moving to the Eventide Nursing Home in 1992, and then to the Good Samaritan Village in 2006. She enjoyed raising African Violiets, crocheting, puzzles, gardening and sewing. Bertha was a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, where she enjoyed study and fellowship with her Sunday School Class.

Bertha died on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake at the age of 96 years.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers, Adolph and his wife Goldie, Alvin in infancy, Arlie and Jacob; and a brother-in-law, Howard Friesen.

She is survived by a daughter, Verona Newman and her husband Rodney of Truman, Minnesota; a son, Arlie Penner and his wife Arlis of Story City, Iowa; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Pauline Friesen of Henderson, Nebraska; a brother, Clarence E. Friesen and his wife Gladys of Henderson, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Elsie Epp and Elsie. Friesen, both of Henderson, Nebraska; many other relatives and friends.