Historical note

Heinrich H. Penner was born February 27, 1898 in Nikolaipol, South Russia to Heinrich Penner (1870-1936) and Margaretha Dyck (1871-1934). On June 9, 1919 he married Elizabeth Unger (1895-1968), daughter of Heinrich Unger (1865-1923) and Helena Redekopp (ca. 1869-1909). During the Russian Revolution (1918-1919) Heinrich contracted Tuberculosis. Between 1922-1940 Heinrich and Elizabeth had six children that lived into adulthood. The young family emigrated from Russia and landed in Canada on Aug 17, 1923. They lived in Rosthern, Saskatchewan for one year before starting to farm in the community of Hershel, Saskatchewan. In 1927 he was elected as deacon of the Mennonite church in Hershel. In 1942 he was called to preaching duties. In 1956 the family moved to Saskatoon. During this time he became involved in the missions committee of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada and contributed to the radio program "Flügel der Morgenröte". Around 1961 he served as interim minister at the Mayfair Mennonite church in Saskatchewan while his son-in-law, Rev. Peter G. Sawatzky, was on a sabbatical leave. In 1976 Heinrich Penner suffered a stroke and moved into a care home. He died October 13, 1980.