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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Marci Ensz
Kim and family
And your extended family
Sure been thinking about y’all!! Our hearts go out to you. May you feel Jesus’s love wrap around you in this difficult time.
Wish we were able to be there but I guess it doesn’t work… so we will “be there” in thought and prayer. All the best in the coming days.
Love n prayers,
Richard n Marci
G & M Reimer
Sending you our sympathy. With ever so much love and prayers. Gerald & Marilee Reimer
Gloria Isaac
I have always appreciated Helena’s friendly smile and her sincere interest she showed toward others. I enjoyed the friendly visits we shared whenever our paths crossed. We have thought of you often as a family through this time. We will continue to pray for you in these coming days.
Sincere sympathies
Russ & Gloria Isaac
Kianna, Krista,Sarah & Rebecca
Stan & Tamera Penner
We are thinking about you Kim as you say good bye to Helena. She was always a very friendly pleasant person! Fun to bump into!! Wishing you God’s nearness. Love and prayers
Marilyn Schmidt
Dear Kim, children, parents, and siblings,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and we would so love to be there with you all at this time. Gary had a thought to share on here…..God chooses the most beautiful flowers from down here to bloom in His beautiful garden above!! We pray God will hold you all in His arms of love and comfort today, tomorrow and in the future days! Love and prayers, Gary & Marilyn
Jeff Penner
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kim, Rod and Larissa, and the rest of the family.
Love, Jeff and Ange Penner
Carl Silinski
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the the family of Helena Penner!!!
Patricia Gulenchyn
I remember coming to Helena and Kim’s with mom or dad to get eggs and Helena would come to the door and we would talk about the times when we school. She always had the greatest smile on her face and always took time to chat with you. I will sure miss our chats that we had.
Corene Antle
Sincere sympathies to your family. Helena always had a radiant smile. Even after she was in her wheel chair at church and you stopped to converse with her, she would respond with a smile. May your loving memories carry you through the coming days and give you comfort. She is free from suffering now.
Roy Wiebe
Our Sincere Sympathy to the Family at this time. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Martin and Grace penner Steinbach Manitoba
Martin and Grace Penner Steinbach Manitoba. …our condolences to Kim and family, may God bless you and keep you. It will be very empty. We will miss Helena.
Rodney,Sylvia and family
Our deepest sympathies extended to Kim and family. Our prayers are with you and family at this difficult time, God Bless
The Penner Family
Henry and Donna Fehr
Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time
Lindley & Arlene Toews
Our hearts are saddened at your loss Kim, Lorissa & Rod, Jon & Renelda, Christine, Jared, & Trevor. Our prayers are with u.
M. Toews
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God be near to each one of you. Tyson & Maria Toews
Robert and Pat
Thoughts and prayers for you Kim and family and extended family. I think back years ago of happy family times at Levi’s and Helena’s big smile and laughter chasing and being chased by Henry and Ron. May God be with you all and keep you in the hollow of his hand.
Ron and Twila Toews
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you say goodbye to your dear one. Ron and Twila
Carla Hourie
Kim and Family,
Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family.
Death leaves a heartache that nobody can heal and love leaves a memory that no one can steal.
May the years of wonderful memories shine through the darkest hours
Wes & Carla Hourie
Pam Baerg
Deepest sympathies are with you as you lay your dear Helena to rest. Praying Jesus to put His arms of comfort around you as her loved ones. Helena was a real encouragement and inspiration with her compassionate heart and friendly ways. Such a dear friend indeed.
Eddy Volmering
Our deepest sympathy to Kim and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Eddy and Jennifer Volmering
Gerald Merke
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Kim & family. Our prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Gerald and Elaine Merke
Elroy and Nancy
Our sincere condolences to you, Kim and your family. Helena will continue to be a pleasant memory and inspiration for us. May God be a comfort and strength to you in the coming days and the memories a soothing balm.
Lavonne Dueck
My condolences to Kim and family. May memories of Helena bring comfort.