Obituary of Jack PENNER

January 27, 1929 – Winkler, Manitoba February 9, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta On February 9, 2019 after a long, courageous battle with cancer, Jaxon Penner of Calgary, AB, passed into eternal life. Jaxon was born Jacob Penner on January 27, 1929 to John and Sarah (nee Schellenberg) of Winkler, MB. He was the youngest of a close knit family that had recently emigrated from Russia. He never wanted to be called “Jakey” and so he invented a new name for himself. Jaxon took his BA at the University of Manitoba. He served his country in the Navy during his studies and spent a year teaching school in Northern Manitoba to afford university. He married the beautiful Frances Yagilashek in 1954 and together they took on the adventure of raising a large family, transferring cities several times in his career. With loyalty and dedication he worked for the Bank of Montreal, retiring in 1986. He served as General Manager of the Winkler Credit Union until 1990. His retirement with Frances saw him travelling the world and serving his fellow humans in Habitat for Humanity and an orphanage in Mexico. Oh, how he loved Jesus, and took so much comfort from the Word of God. He engaged his children in many activities, swimming, biking, skating, camping, and hiking. They’ve inherited from him a love of nature, singing, reading, travelling and physical activity. He started running long distances later in life and completed several marathons in his 50’s. He walked a portion of the El Camino de Santiago with Frances in their 70s. Jaxon had a warm, fun, adventurous spirit. He was fearless and never anticipated any harm from anyone he met. This caused his children much consternation as he travelled solo through the States and Mexico in his 80s. He lived life with few possessions and had a playful, dry sense of humour. He loved to laugh. He had strong convictions and high standards and never hesitated to guide his children according to his moral compass. As cancer took away his mobility and independence, the suffering mellowed him like gold in fire and brought him peace. He grew in patience and joyful surrender to the will of God. Jaxon enjoyed the simple routines of his final years and months, especially visits from family and friends. He had a marvellous celebration of his 90th birthday shortly before his passing. The family acknowledges the tremendous care that Lisa, Mike, Mitch, Jeremy and Madelyn Wells took of Dad. You blessed and honoured him so well. Jaxon was preceded in death by his beloved wife Frances (Yagilashek) in 2012, his parents, brothers Cornelius, Henry and John; sisters Lydia and Katherine, sisters-in-law Rosie, Annie, Lindy, Grace, Elizabeth and brothers-in-law, Frank, Peter, Robert, Albert and Edward. Jaxon is survived by his sisters Helen and Nettie and many fond nieces and nephews. He also leaves to mourn his six children and their spouses; Kerry (Donna) of North Carolina, US, Jodeen (Jim Stewart) of Winnipeg, Darrell (Connie) of Devon, AB, Cathy (Roland LaFleche) of Saskatoon, Lisa (Mike Wells) of Calgary and Jim (Vittoria) of Brisbane, Australia. His grandchildren feel his loss significantly; Shaun (Laura) Stewart, Rebecca (Jason Gietz), Kevin (Charissa) MacPherson, Callie Penner, Brendan (Sarah) Stewart, Lauren McGeary, Mary (David) Ball, Cameron Penner, Patrick Stewart, Edmund LaFleche, Vanessa LaFleche, Charlotte Penner, Anne LaFleche, Robert Stewart, Zachariah Penner, Mitchell Wells, Olivia Penner, Mikayla Penner, Jeremy Wells and Madelyn Wells. He also leaves his great-grandchildren; Samuel Stewart, Brooklyn Gietz, Hannah Stewart, Thomas Stewart, Liam Gietz, Charlotte Gietz, James Stewart, Tabitha Gietz, Jack McGeary, Eamon MacPherson, Austin Stewart, Sloan Ball, Rhett Gietz, William Stewart and Bodhi Ball. A Memorial Service will be held at The Church of Immanuel () on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Pastors John Lucas II and Bruce Sheasby presiding. Reception to follow at the Church. Free parking available in the lot north of the church on 15th Ave SW. A Funeral Mass will also be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the summertime. Contact family for details. Special thanks to the staff of AgeCare Walden, unit Vista 4 Moraine, for their exceptional care of Dad. In living memory of Jack Penner, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.