Maria Penner died Aug. 1, 2008. She was born Sept. 25, 1908 in Paulsheim, Ukraine to David and Maria Boese. Maria was converted in 1929, baptized the same year, and became a member of the church. The Lord was her refuge in spite of the arrest of ministers and closure of churches a few years later. Maria married Peter Penner in 1934. They had one daughter before Peter was arrested and exiled in 1937, and died in 1944. In 1943, the family fled the U.S.S.R. Maria’s father died on the journey. Sojourning in Poland for one year, Germany for one year, the Netherlands for two years, Maria, her mother, and her daughter went to Canada, first joining Maria’s brother in Tofield, Alta., then moving to Yarrow, B.C. where they joined Yarrow MB Church. After her mother’s death, Maria’s sister Greta moved to Canada and lived with her. Maria and Greta moved to Abbotsford in 1996, joining Clearbrook MB Church. After Greta’s death in 2005, Maria moved to Menno Home. Maria is survived by daughter Elvira (Duane) Boneham. The memorial was Aug. 7 at Clearbrook MB Church.
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