Shirley Eileen Penner, 75, retired registered nurse, earned her angels' wings on Thursday (Oct. 20, 2011) at Kidron Bethel in North Newton, after undergoing a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Shirley was a daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, and she touched the lives of many.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Ernst Penner of North Newton; son, James Penner (Tammy) of Kansas City, Kan.; daughter, Judy Penner (Cara) of Wichita; three granddaughters, Nicole Alderson (Bryce) of Shawnee, Danielle Schleicher (Brady) of Kansas City, Kan., and Baylee Penner of Kansas City, Kan.; and three great-grandchildren, Lily, Maddie and Landon.
She also leaves behind sisters, Evelyn Miller (Kenny) of Hesston and Fayette Horst (Don) of Lansing, Mich.; brothers, Ed Weaver (Irene) of Menominee, Mich., Wayne Weaver (Mary Glenn) of Granger, Ind., and Larry Weaver (Michaele Bonenberger) of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Paul (1996) and Nina (2011) Weaver, and one sister, Jane Wyse (1983).
A celebration memorial service of Shirley's life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton. Pastor Gordon Smith will preside. Private family inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery of Newton.
Memorials are suggested to Kidron Bethel or Mennonite Central Committee, in care of Petersen Funeral Home of Newton.