Frank Penner

Frank Penner

September 16, 1941 – March 20, 2022

Frank Penner was born on September 16^th, 1941 in a two-room house about three miles North of Neuhorst, Saskatchewan. His parents were Isaac Penner and Aganetha (nee Wiens). He was the middle child with brothers John, Abe, Corny, Jake and Dave born before him and Pete, Henry and the three girls, Mary, Annie and Elizabeth coming behind.

In 1943, when Frank was two years old, his family moved to Avenue W. on the edge of Saskatoon. His dad worked for the city. When Frank was seven, he began attending Pleasant Hill School. It was hard for him because he only spoke Plaut Dietch. When he was eight, his family moved to Burns Lake, BC. After two years in BC, they moved back to Saskatoon. Frank finished grade five and then worked with his dad. Frank attended the boys club at the school and, when he was nine, he asked Jesus to be his Saviour. He knew this was a life-changing decision and he was so happy. When Frank was fourteen, they moved to a farm west of Martensville. Frank worked with his dad hauling garbage for the OK Economy stores in Saskatoon. When he was fifteen, he worked with his brother John and then at Starlite Bottlers. When Frank was eighteen, he got his class 1A and drove truck for five and a half years.

One evening Frank was cruising in Warman when he saw a couple of attractive young ladies sitting on a fence. Frank shone his headlights on them and Ann threw crab apples at him to get him to stop. Frank admired her spunk and Ann thought he was, “oh so handsome!” They talked for a while and then Frank offered her a ride home. Ann accepted and that was the beginning of the best part of Frank’s life.

Ann and Frank were married in 1963 and lived in Martensville. Their first son Clifford was born in 1964 and their second son Keith was born in 1965. Frank stopped trucking and began making wallboard at Truroc so he could be home every evening. Their daughter Corina was born in 1969 and their daughter Stacey was born in 1971.

Thanks to Ann’s belief and encouragement, in 1973 Frank had the courage to quit his job and go to school for his grade ten equivalence and his Automotive Mechanics training. In 1974 Frank began working as a mechanic at Acklands and in 1977 he achieved his Interprovincial Journeyman’s certificate. Frank had always had a knack for fixing things and he loved working on cars and trucks.

In 1968 Ann and Frank rededicated their lives to God and were baptized. They attended the Martensville Mennonite Mission Church. Frank had a strong belief in observing the Lord’s Day and in being honest. He loved worshipping God with music and singing. Most evenings and weekends when not serving or participating at church, Frank would fix cars for family, friends, church folks and town folks. He loved to work and it made him feel good to serve God by helping others. Frank and Ann served as cooks for camps and planned to spend their retirement years serving full-time as cooks and maintenance at camp. As the head leader of the Christian Service Brigade, Frank made sure that the leaders knew that the purpose of the program was to introduce the boys to Jesus as he had been.

Frank cared for and provided for his family. They didn’t have everything they wanted but they had everything they needed and so much more. Frank tried to live at peace with everyone. He loved his wife and family with a fierce loyalty. He took his family camping every summer and he had his mom and Ann’s dad live with them during times of need and transition.

Frank worked for Palm Dairies from 1981-1993 with the last three years as shop foreman. In January 1993 Frank’s work life and retirement plans ended abruptly when Frank fell backward off a semi and landed on his shoulder against a bolt. From then on Frank lived with pain and poor health. In 2002 Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. There were times through the years of pain and suffering when Frank felt that God had abandoned him but his faith prevailed. About six months ago, Frank was finally set free from generational spiritual bondage through a ministry of prayer. His exuberant joy and peace were obvious and contagious to those who knew the burdens he had carried. In the end, he believed that God was watching over him and giving him the strength each day to cope with the pain and the Parkinson’s.

Ann was Frank’s constant help and support. As Parkinson’s took its toll on Frank’s independence, Ann met his every need until they were forced to decide together that Frank had to move into long-term care. Even after that, Ann was Frank’s faithful helpmate and companion until he was relieved of his pain and suffering on March 20, 2022.

Frank held fast to his faith in Jesus and made it his mission to love others in Jesus’ name despite his difficulties. It was very important to him that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren accept Jesus as their saviour and live a life of faith.

Frank is fondly and lovingly remembered by his children, Clifford (Tammie), Keith (Cheryl), Corina (Brad) and Stacey (Rodney), his grandchildren Randall (Keziah), James, Daniel (Kira), Joel, Savannah, Aidan, Tristan and Taylor; his great-grandchildren Arabella, Nevaya, Kaylee, Madison, Logan and Sadie; the Manitoba Penners; his surviving sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews; his friends and associates from church; his fellow residents at Parkridge and the Parkridge staff.

He is with Jesus now.

Memorial Service will be held at Pleasant Hill Church, 111 Witney Ave N, Saskatoon, SK on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. 

Memorial donations may be made towards the Bus Campaign for the Parkridge Centre, 110 Gropper Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5N9. Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.