Obituary

Lawrence A. Penner, 72, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at Newton Medical Center.

He was born May 18, 1942, in Goessel, to Milton A. and Elda (Goertz) Penner. He was baptized on Aug. 25, 1957, at Johannestal Mennonite Church in Hillsboro by The Rev. Esko Loewen. He was a 1960 graduate of Hillsboro High School and graduated from Bethel College in 1966. On Sept. 1, 1963, he married Kathryn Pauls at Hoffnungsau Church in rural Inman, and she survives of the home.  Lawrence was an active member of the Faith Mennonite Church in Newton, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He also sang with the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus. After working 42 years, he retired from ACGO in Hesston, as a steel buyer in the purchasing department. Lawrence enjoyed woodworking, fishing and golfing. He got his greatest joy being a loving husband, father and grandfather and brother.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Kathryn of the home; sons: Darin and his wife, Erica Penner of Mission, and Kyle and his wife, Anne Penner of Wichita; brothers: Ray Penner of North Newton, Clayton Penner of Newton, and Stuart Penner of Hillsboro; and one sister, Roseann Penner Kaufman of Prairie Village. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Emory and Adeline and Jackson and William. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents.

Due to construction at Lawrence's home church, a memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at First Mennonite Church in Newton, with Pastor Rachel Siemens of Faith Mennonite Church presiding. Visitation will be 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Private family burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. Memorials are suggested to Faith Mennonite Church or Bethel College, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.