Helena Joyce Penner (Nee Toews)

1966-2020

Helena Joyce Toews Penner was born to Levi and LuEtta Toews on April 25, 1966, in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. She peacefully left this world on April 9, 2020, with her family surrounding her.

Mom grew up on the family farm along the Birch River near Elma. She was second youngest in a family of 6 brothers and 3 sisters. She spoke fondly of her childhood. She was baptized on August 12, 1979 and remained faithful to her vows until the end. Mom was joined in marriage to Kim Penner on December 2, 1984. They loved and cherished each other for 35 years. Dad was ordained to the deaconry on December 3, 2000. Mom’s compassionate spirit helped her to support Dad in his calling.

Mom loved nature and the great outdoors. She always had a large garden and loved to add to her collection of flowers. We remember her working hard to give us a safe, secure home. Mom’s carefulness showed in her sewing. She sewed many dresses, blankets and in the last couple years a few quilts. Many have memories of eating Mom’s cinnamon rolls and also her lasagna. She enjoyed traveling to see her children and    family. The last trip she took was to see her first grandson. In October of 2016 she was diagnosed with ALS. This was a hard time for her, but with the grace of God she was able to accept it. She wished to see all her grandchildren grow up, but was thankful that she lived to see and hold two grandsons.

Helena will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Kim, Elma, Manitoba; her children and grandsons, Larissa & Roderick Toews and Dawson, Gowanstown, Ontario; Jonathan & Renelda and Seth; Christine; Jared; Trevor, all of Elma, Manitoba; special family friend Carri & Mark Koehn and Damien, Livingston, California; her mother, LuEtta Toews, Steinbach, Manitoba, her siblings, Shirley Penner, Whitemouth, Manitoba; Gilbert and LaVonne Toews, Whitemouth, Manitoba; Rodney and Marilyn Toews, Elma, Manitoba; Barb and Dewey Penner, Uniontown, Alabama; John and Ramona Toews, Ken and Deanna Toews, Ron and Irma Toews, all of Elma, Manitoba; Henry and Cindy Toews, Albertville, Alabama; her parents-in-law, Marvin and Luana Penner, Steinbach, Manitoba; and her in-laws, Brad Penner, La Broquerie, Manitoba; Earl Penner, Hadashville, Manitoba; Lorilyn and Tom Wiebe, Fullarton, Ontario; Robert and Lucy Penner, Pipestone, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her father.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Mom’s sister Shirley and her sister-in-law Irma for their help in caring for Mom. We also want to thank the Home Care nurse, Susanne Graham, and the palliative care team Dr. Donna Clark and Laura Klammer BN RN.

Viewing will be held on Monday, April 13, 2020 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Whitemouth. In keeping with regulations placed by the Manitoba Government, for public safety, only 10 persons will be allowed in the Church at any one given time and social distancing will be implemented. Thank you for your cooperation. Should you feel ill or have flu and cold like symptoms, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers but ask that you please not attend.

Funeral Service will be webcast on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:00 a.m. from the Church. Interment in the church cemetery will follow.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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