Obituary of Anganetha Penner

<h1>Anganetha Penner</h1> 1913 –2008 Anganetha Penner was born January 31, 1913 in Michaelsburg, in the Ukraine, to Henry and Anna (Berg) Penner. Her father, Henry Penner, died when she was only seven years old and her mother died May 4, 1941. Under dangerous political circumstances, Neta was baptized by Pastor Abraham Penner on November 13, 1932. Neta married Jacob Penner in October, 1937. Their son, Jacob was born on July 27, 1940. Before the German army reached Michaelsburg during the Second World War, Neta’s husband, Jacob was taken in to banishment by the Russians. At the moment of incarceration, Neta was able to take some food and clothing to her husband and never saw or heard from him after that. Along with her four sisters, Maria, Susan, Sara, and Margaretha and nieces and nephews, Neta was compelled to leave the Ukraine in 1943. After many dangerous moments, since the battles of the war were always close at hand, the family traveled to Poland and eventually to Germany. With the help of the Mennonite Central Committee and the Sponsorship of David and Susan (a cousin of the four sisters) Bueckert, Neta and her son Jacob as well as three of her sister, were able to immigrate to Canada. They arrived in Quebec City on the Dutch ship, Tabinta, on July 29, 1948. In the meantime, her older sister, Maria, and her two daughters, Annie and Marie, along with Annie’s new husband, Hans Loewen, had immigrated to Paraguay. Marie’s son, Jakop had died as a result of an accident in Germany. Marie Passed away in Paraguay in 1967. Neta Penner and her extended family stayed in Saskatchewan until 1952 when she and her son and later, the three sisters and two nephews, moved to Leamington, Ontario. After working on the fruit and vegetable farms of Leamington for one summer, they all moved to Waterloo Ontario. In the Waterloo area, Neta worked in various places; she obtained employment in a household, later at Dare’s, next Conrad Grebel and finally at K-Mart, after which she retired from the work force. In the meantime, Neta attended and became a member of the W-K United Mennonite Church. Aunt Neta was a trusting child of God. She was a strong and important force in her family and we know she will be with God and her spirit will be among us. Friends are invited to share their memories of Neta with her family during visitation at the Erb &amp; Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5 at 2:00 pm at W-K United Mennonite Church, 15 George Street, Waterloo with the Rev. Nancy Brubaker officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo with a reception to follow the graveside service at the church. Condolences for the family and donations to the W-K United Church Building Fund may be arranged through the funeral home, 519.745.8445 or www.erbgood.com. In living memory of Neta, a donation will be made to the Trees for Learning Program by the funeral home.