Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Bruce Wayne Penner was born on March 8, 1939 at Steinbach, MB. He peacefully departed this life on the evening of March 1, 2015 with his loving wife and sons by his side. Bruce was the oldest son of George D. And Catherine Penner. He grew up on the family farm with one sister and five brothers. On November 8, 1953, he was baptized, and became a member of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, faithfully serving the Lord until the end. Beginning in 1957, winter employment took him to lumber camps in southeast Manitoba and road construction jobs in the summer. On August 4, 1961, he married, Verna Barkman. They shared the joys of marriage for 53 ½ years. Their first home was at a road construction site at Carmen, MB. Winter at the bush camp was spent in an 8' x 12' shack where the stars twinkled through the cracks in the roof. Bruce thought that if he never tried carpentry, he couldn't honestly say that he didn't enjoy it, so he spent one summer in the trade. He quickly realized that he needed a different occupation, so he took on the challenge of building and managing the Lady Slipper Ranch at Giroux, Manitoba for three years. In the spring of 1968, a farm near Saltcoats, SK, became their new home, where they raised their five sons and two daughters. They farmed in a close-knit community where neighbour helped neighbour, with no thought of reward or payment. Victor and Mayda Morales, together with their boys joined the family in 1988 after leaving Guatemala for a life in Saskatchewan. Helping Victor's family and many other Spanish speaking friends brought much satisfaction to Bruce's life as he reached out to those who were new to Canada. He enjoyed being in touch with old acquaintances, local people and keeping current on world events. Bruce's heart was a house of open doors and he will long be remembered for the friendship, respect and love shown to everyone he met. He took an interest in greeting people in their native tongue and these languages included Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Creole, Ukranian, Spanish and German. Bruce's faith in God meant very much to him and his family will always hold close to their hearts, the precious memory of him sitting in his chair and reading his Bible. While their hearts ache with grief because he has left them, they rejoice that his pain and suffering is over. Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Verna; children, Joel & Bonnie, Saltcoats, SK, Ross & Myra, New Norway, AB, Evan & Janelle, Bredenbury, SK, Rona & Brent Isaac, Carrot River, SK, Kent & Krista, Yorkton, SK, Heather & Les Isaac, New Norway, AB, Peter & Marcia, Saltcoats, SK and his grandchildren, Clark & Allison, Rhaea, Alicia, Abby, Kristi & Terril, Trevor, Benji, Ricki, Austin, Jordan, Brittany, Casper, Tasha, Keri Ann, Maykala, Tia, Boe, Nicolee, Kia, Tyanne and Marijke; his mother, Catherine; his siblings, Darlene & Norman Wohlgemuth, Bredenbury, SK, Earl & Daphne, Josephine, Roy & Diane, all of Steinbach, MB, Lawrence & Bonny, Pine River, MB; his in-laws, Doreen & Fred Reimer, Carrot River, SK, Viola Spensley, Edmonton, AB, Norma Toews, Steinbach, MB, Melvin & Gwen Barkman, St. Mary's , ON, Yvonne Barkman, Abbotsford, BC, Wilbert Barkman, Ohaton, AB, Audrey & Ed Enns, Vanderhoof, BC, Mabel Penner, Saltcoats, SK as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Bruce was predeceased by his father, George; one granddaughter, Victoria Kate; two brothers, George and Ralph; brothers-in-law, Raymond Barkman, Dick Spensley and Donald Toews. A Service of Comfort for Family and Friends was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 from the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Saltcoats, SK. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, March 5, 2015 from the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Saltcoats, SK with Laurel Wiebe officiating. Music played a large part in the service and the choir shared a number of selections. Bruce's son, Peter led the congregation in the singing of "He Hideth my Soul" and Dennis Warkentin led the singing of "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus". The obituary was read by Bruce's son, Ross and the Message was shared by Marshall Toews.  The closing prayer was led by Vern Loewen. The Interment Service followed in the adjoining cemetery with Ricki Penner, Casper Isaac, Austin Penner, Clark Penner, Bruce Morales, Josh Morales and Joel Morales serving as the casket bearers. Words of comfort and prayer were shared by Dennis Barkman and all present sang, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder". Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
