Rodney Penner
Rodney Dwight Penner, 81, died Oct. 5,
2019, at the Newton Prebyterian Manor. He was born on Dec. 28, 1937,
in Hillsboro to Erwin R. and Esther (Harms) Penner.
He grew up on the family farm and
attended Durham grade school. Upon confession of faith, he was
baptized and became a member of Johannestal Church, later becoming a
member of Faith Mennonite Church. He graduated from Hesston Academy,
Hesston, in 1956 and attended Bethel College.
From September 1957 to September 1959,
Rodney served with the Pax Program of Mennonite Central Committee. He
worked to repair schools and homes for war refugees in Germany and
Austria. He also worked with UNESCO in Paris and these experiences
were foundational moments in his life.
On Dec. 19, 1959, Rodney married Noreen
Garber in Mt. Lake, Minnesota. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri,
until January 1961 when they moved to Newton.
He was employed in some phase of the
construction business all his working life; as owner/operator of
Penner Cabinetry, R & G Construction, Shadelite Marquee &
Glass and as project manager for Koehn and Associates.
Rodney was active in Jaycees, Kiwanis
Club, Harvey County Builders and CKMA. He enjoyed his family and
friends, traveling, reading, flying and studying architecture,
especially the works of Frank Lloyd Wright.
He is survived by his wife, Noreen;
son, Todd and wife Martha (Neufeld) Penner of Goshen, Indiana;
daughter, Cara and husband Mike Treas of Kansas City, Missouri;
grandchildren: Claire, Sydney and Josiah Penner of Goshen, Indiana,
and Miranda and Andrew Treas of Kansas City, Missouri; sister and
brother-in-law, Pat and Nathan Widmer of Salem, Oregon;
sister-in-law, Vernie Hartzler of Jackson, Minnesota; sister-in-law
and brother-in-law, Adel and Nabil Isbanioly of Richfield, North
Carolina; and seven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; and brothers-in-law, Floyd Kauffman and Charlie Hartzler.
Visitation with the family will be from
1 to 2 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 19, 2019) at Broadway Colonial Funeral
Home in Newton, with memorial services to follow at 2 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to Mennonite
Central Committee or the Alzheimer's Foundation. Contributions may be
sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS
67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadway
colonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
