Rodney Penner

Rodney Dwight Penner, 81, died Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Newton Prebyterian Manor.

He was born on December 28, 1937 in Hillsboro, Kansas to Erwin R. and Esther (Harms) Penner.

He grew up on the family farm and attended Durham grade school.  Upon confession of faith, he was baptized and became a member of Johannestal Church, later becoming a member of Faith Mennonite Church.  He graduated from Hesston Academy, Hesston, Kansas in 1956 and attended Bethel College.

From September 1957 to September 1959 he served with the Pax Program of Mennonite Central Committee.  He worked to repair schools and homes for war refugees in Germany and Austria.  He also worked with UNESCO in Paris, France and these experiences were foundational moments in his life. 

On December 19, 1959 he married Noreen Garber in Mt. Lake, Minnesota.  They lived in Kansas City, Missouri until January 1961 when they moved to Newton, Kansas.

He was employed in some phase of the construction business all his working life; as owner/operator of Penner Cabinetry, R & G Construction, Shadelite Marquee & Glass and as project manager for Koehn and Associates.  He was active in Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Harvey County Builders and CKMA.  He enjoyed his family and friends, traveling, reading, flying and studying architecture, especially the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. 

He is survived by his wife, Noreen, son Todd and wife Martha (Neufeld) Penner of Goshen, Indiana, daughter Cara and husband Mike Treas of Kansas City, Missouri, grandchildren Claire, Sydney and Josiah Penner of Goshen, Indiana, Miranda and Andrew Treas of Kansas City, Missouri, sister and brother-in-law Pat and Nathan Widmer, Salem, Oregon, sister-in-law Vernie Hartzler, Jackson, Minnesota, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Adel and Nabil Isbanioly of Richfield, North Carolina and seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Floyd Kauffman and Charlie Hartzler.

Visitation with the family will be at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton from 1:00 - 2:00 pm Saturday, October 19^th with memorial services to follow at 2:00 pm.

Memorials may be sent to Mennonite Central Committee or the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Ks.