Martha Penner died Dec. 18, 2011. She was born June 18, 1933 in Foxwarren, Man. to David and Anne Loewen. Martha loved the outdoors. She accepted the Lord early in life. Martha met John Penner on a blind date in Port Rowan, Ont., and they married June 12, 1954. While John studied at Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute, Martha worked in the hospital. They farmed in Ontario. Martha loved to cook, quilt, and knit. In Simcoe, Ont., John and Martha opened Gospel Lighthouse Bookstore, and became founding members of Evergreen Heights Christian Fellowship (MB) Church. They served the Gideons for 25 years. After selling the store in the 1990s, they cared for Martha’s parents in Manitoba, and were superintendents of an apartment complex in London, Ont. They returned to Simcoe upon retirement. Martha is mourned by John; children Florence (Gregg) Klassen, Fred, Marjorie (John) Harder, Laura (Don) Larochelle; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings.
