My husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jacob M. Toews Penner was born Sept. 23, 1885, at Blumenort, Man., and passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 1971, at Steinbach Bethesda Hospital, attaining the age of 86 years.
He was married to Margaret Barkman in Nov. 1905. This union was blessed with 3 sons and 5 daughters. In 1913 our parents answered God's call and upon remission of sins and confession of faith, were added to the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. After sharing joys and sorrows for 13 years he lost his companion in death.
Father married again in 1919, finding companionship in Anna Warkentin. Six sons and three daughters were born to this union. In 1931 he was called by the church and ordained as a deacon. In this capacity he served faithfully. He was again bereaved of his companion through her death in 1951.
Father found a companion in Mrs. Barbara Friesen and they were united in marriage in 1952, the family being joined by 1 daughter and 5 sons thru this marriage.
He is survived by me, his beloved wife, Barbara; and children: Mary and John Warkentin, Agnes and Ben Bartel, Albert and Esther Penner, Linda and Henry Wiebe, Irvin and Esther Penner, Lillie and George Wiebe, Elmer and Caroline Penner, John and Evelyn Penner, Elda and Irvin Giesbrecht, Ed and Amenda Penner, Claude and Katherine Penner, Tina and Jones Toews; Marvin and Luanna Penner, Marlena and Alfred Goossen, Martin and Grace Penner, Art and Lucille Friesen, Andrew and Betty Friesen, Jim and Florence Friesen, Abe and Connie Friesen; one sister Mrs. Katie Eidse; and a large circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives.
Funeral services were conducted in the Greenland Church. The remains were laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

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Jacob M. Penner and his wife Margaretha settled in the Landmark area in 1906. In 1913, they moved closer to Greenland. Margaretha passed away in 1918 but God provided another mother and wife, Anna Warkentin, to fill the void. Anna passed away in 1951 and the next summer Jacob married Barbara nee Sobering. Jacob and Barbara retired from farming in 1957 and built a home in Greenland, where they resided until the end of 1969. They thereafter made their home at the Greenland Home for Senior Citizens.

In 1932, Jacob was ordained a deacon in the Greenland Holdeman Church.

This family circle included fifteen children, of which eleven made their homes in the Greenland area.

Source: 100 Years in Our Community, p. 35.