Tobias F. Penner

Tobias F. Penner, born September 22, 1945, in Santa Clara, Chic Mexica, went to be with Christ at 3:20 p.m., April 27, 2022, at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta during surgery for an aneurysm.

Born in Santa Clara in 1945, Tobias moved with his family to Tamaulipas in 1958 at the age of 13. Here, he spent his youth, and here, he met his beloved wife, Judith Kauenhofen.  They were married on August 8, 1965.  They lived in Mexico for the first 24 years, farming sorghum and soybeans, and here each of their 9 children were born.

            In 1989, they again packed up their home and family and made the long move to North Ontario. Here, they spent another 9 busy years growing many vegetables and strawberries to sell.  In 1998, when Eady, the youngest was 12 years, they packed up their home and family and moved west to Alberta, where they have lived to the present.

            Always a farmer at heart, Tobias loved the soil, and long after he was done putting in crops, he continued planting a big garden, loving to spend his evenings out working in it.  Always cheery and welcoming, if anyone dropped by, he would stop what he was doing and visit. He loved to take his visitors out for an amble through his garden.  His favorite evenings were surrounded by friends, family and the grandchildren, and he would often treat them to his signature barbecued lemon chicken.

Fishing was also a much-enjoyed pastime and he loved to take the boys to the Northwest Territories to fish for the big ones in the Mackenzie River.

            He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and would say, “hard work won’t kill you, but is should never come before family”.  Christianity was simple and uncomplicated to him. Always positive, but staunchly uncompromised in Integrity, he also felt strongly you should never harbour bitterness.  He passionately loved to travel, and with his wife by his side, no destination was too far.  His love for her was deep and constant. He would often slip her little presents through the years, hoping to escape the notice of the children. But, 2 weeks ago at Easter, he brought her, her first big bouquet of lilies.  The memory will always be deeply treasured by her. 

            Though semi retired, he stated very active and kept busy hauling farm feed for Jesse Peter's store in Slave Lake.  He was healthy till the end. But 2 years ago, the doctors discovered a small aneurysm on the big artery on his spine. Six months ago it grew bigger and became life threatening.  They needed to do surgery.  He passed away during the operation, due to his veins being so thin, the doctors were unable to stop the bleeding.

                Tobias is pre-deceased by:                                                                                      

- His father, Dietrich Penner - Oct. 5, 2016                                                       He is survived by:

- His mother, Aganetha (Friesen) Penner - Apr.5, 1999                           - Judith, his beloved wife of 57 years

- His sister, Sara Froses - May 11, 2014                                                  - His 9 children.

- His sister, Tina Sawatzky - Aug. 29, 2021                                              - Corny and his wife Eva

- His brother, Aaron Penner - Oct. 21, 2013                                              - Susie

- His bro-in-law, Jacob Froses, Jan. 22, 2022                                           - David and his wife Betty

- His bro-in-law, Heinrich Sawatzky - Nov. 3, 2020                                    - Netti and her husband Barry

- His bro-in-law, David Peters - May 25, 2016                                           - Jesstina and her husband Delvin         

                                                                                                                   - Willy and his wife Lori

                                                                                                                   - Benny and his wife Marisol

                                                                                                                   - Frank and his wife Elzy

                                                                                                                   - Ed and his wife Cindy

                                                                                                                   - his 38 treasured grandchildren

                                                                                                                   - 2 great-grandchildren

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