Helena (Driedger) Penner

Mom was born in the village of Neuhorst on May 26, 1926, one of 13 children to John D. and Helena Driedger (nee Enns) Mom attended the Exeter School located in the village. She moved to Rudnerweide with her parents in 1945.

Mom married our father on November 6, 1947 and they celebrated 67 years of married life until Dad’s passing in 2015. Mom, Dad and daughter Trudy moved to Portage la Prairie in 1952 and John, Evelyn and Valorie were added to the family.

In 1966 the family moved to a farm south of MacGregor, in 1972 they moved north of MacGregor and in 1991 moved to their house in MacGregor. Mom was always involved with church activities, Ladies’ Aid, helping where needed. Mom and Dad’s time as Deacons was a perfect fit because they loved to visit and care for others. Together Mom and Dad sponsored several Vietnamese families and loved them like they were their own children. They called her Mama Penner!

Mom and Dad travelled within Canada, to the U.S., Paraguay, Holland, Spain, Germany and the Holy Lands. Mom and Dad went to Paraguay from 1985-1987 for volunteer work.

Mom earned the title “cookie grandma” for her famous cookies with pink icing and her jam-jams. She loved to plan and cook for family get togethers and BBQ’s with fresh baked buns and sometimes roll kuchen. She was well known for all her baking especially buns and pies.

Our mother was an accomplished seamstress and when one of her daughters requested an outfit, she would be determined to complete the outfit on time often working well into the night. She made many warm blankets for her family, knit countless dish cloths and slippers, crocheted and knitted over 40 afghans!

Mom enjoyed a game of skip-bo, liked a clean house, loved a crisp white shirt, chocolate , and of course her family – which always came first – she loved the babies and being a grandma and great-grandma was such a joy to her. She adored our Dad and even recently remarked how handsome he was and such a sharp dresser!

After Dad’s passing Mom moved into Victoria Place which she really enjoyed! Mom was in the care home from 2017 to her passing.

Left to cherish mom’s memory are: daughter Trudy (Anton) Wiebe (Angela, Karen and Tammy and their families); daughter in law Verla (Julie and Jodie and their families); daughter Evelyn (Wayne) Van Mackelbergh (Michael, Shawn and Greg Friesen and their families); daughter Valorie (Wayne) Unrau (Brett, Dustin and Tyson and their families). Mom has one remaining brother Abe, in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Erdman, son John and great grandson Donovan, her parents, 4 sisters, 7 brothers, and many in-laws.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of the MacGregor care home for their excellent care of our mother!

Mom – we saw you grow weary, you told us you were ready – rest now – you are loved.

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