Elsie Penner Obituary (1921 - 2011)

Elsie Penner, 90 years of age, of Beatrice, NE. passed away at the Homestead House in Beatrice Monday night, December 26, 2011. She was born on January 28, 1921 near Beatrice to John and Emily (Penner) Thimm and had lived in the Beatrice area her entire life. She was a graduate of Beatrice High School. Elsie and Willard G. Penner were married on September 14, 1944 near Beatrice. She was a member of the First Mennonite Church and had been involved in numerous church activities. Survivors include her children Mary Scheve, Annie Foodman, and Roland Penner. Additional survivors include Richard Scheve, Allan Foodman, and Duveen Penner; 5 grandchildren Jon Scheve and wife Cari, Gina Yoder and husband Joe, Benjamin Foodman, Elizabeth Penner, and Matthew Penner; 2 step grandchildren Jason Foodman and wife Kim, and Adam Foodman and wife Samantha; brother John Thimm and wife Ruth; and sister Ruth Lichty. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents John and Emily (Penner) Thimm; husband Willard G. Penner (2009); and sisters Helen Wiebe and Erna Wiebe. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the First Mennonite Church, R. Beatrice with Reverend Brett Klingenberg officiating. Interment will be held at 9:30 A.M. Thursday at the Mennonite Cemetery, R. Beatrice. Closed casket visitation will be held Wednesday from 12-9:00 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. A memorial has been established to the Beatrice Community Hospital Emergency Dept. with Bill and Margaret Boyce in charge. Sign her register book online at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.