Jean Ellen Penner

Obituary for Jean Ellen (Carpenter) Penner On December 24, 1949, twins Jean Ellen and Jane Anne were born in Crookston, Minnesota. Their parents, Ruth and Cleron Carpenter, remarked that they were happy to have twin dishwashers and more tax deductions (Cleron was an accountant and quite practical about such matters). Jean had a love of music and took great joy in participating in music-related activities through piano lessons, singing, and school activities. Jean was a member of the National Honor Society and was active on the Pepster, the school newspaper, as well as a member of Quill and Scroll. Upon graduation from high school, Jean enrolled in the University of North Dakota (UND) to pursue her degree in education. During Jeans sophomore year she was inducted into the Pi Lambda Theta, a prestigious education honor society. She went on to graduate from UND with honors. After graduating from UND, Jean accepted a position to teach third grade and music at the Mountain Lake Christian School in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. It was while teaching that Jean met Gilbert Penner. They were married on August 4, 1973 at her parents home in Crookston. Their wedding day was on Gilberts 30th birthday. Jean and Gilbert were blessed with three children, daughters Jennifer and Alison and son Gregory. They were delighted when their grandchildren, Jackson, Finnley, Bellamy, Kayanna, Annaka, Emmy, and Javon were born into their family. Jean adored her grandchildren and loved to talk about their lives and accomplishments. She prayed diligently over each member of her family, bringing them to the throne of Heaven frequently and earnestly. She entrusted them to her Savior and had the assurance that they were seen and known by her Father. Jean loved her family, music, writing letters and cards, her friends, beauty products, fashion, and flowers. If it was brightly-colored, she loved it. She was passionate about reading Scriptures and her devotionals, always seeking to understand her Savior more intimately. She never met a stranger and delighted in learning about those around her. If you had the gift of meeting Jean, it was a given that she would have prayed over you. Her prayers were powerful, and she certainly held the ear of her Father, for when she prayed she was confident in the outcomes and that her Father would carefully and perfectly oversee what was meant to be. As Jeans health began to fail, she was beautifully cared for by the caregivers and medical professionals at Mikkelson Manor and Sogge Good Samaritan, both of Windom, MN, as well as other caring professionals from Avera and Southwinds. The family wishes to thank each person who invested in Jeans life and who contributed to her well-being. The care, support, and love wrapped around Jean and her family were blessings beyond measure. Jean peacefully and quietly entered Heavens arms on Thursday, March 10, 2022. She was surrounded by sunlight streaming through stained glass windows and those who loved her most. Jean was 72 years old at the time of her passing. Jean is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of almost 50 years, Gilbert, children Jennifer, Alison (Kevin), and Gregory, grandchildren Jackson, Finnley, Bellamy, Kayanna, Annaka, Emmy, and Javon, brother Ronald Carpenter, twin sister Jane, sisters-in-law Mary Penner and Carol Carpenter, brothers-in-law Curtis Sherman and Donald Penner, uncle Robert Carpenter, aunt Eugenie Jensen, niece Karen Penner, nephews Matthew Sherman, Stephen Sherman, Michael Carpenter, David Carpenter, and Mark Penner, best friend Kathy Schultz, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Cleron and Ruth, younger sister Nancy Sherman, sister-in-law Mary Penner as well as several aunts and uncles. Visitation 1 9:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, March 19, 2022 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, March 19, 2022 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information 11:45 am Saturday, March 19, 2022 Cornerstone Cemetery (formerly EMB) West side of 570 Avenue, South of 360th St, North of 10th St/ Co. Rd 9 Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Reception To be held at the church after the interment.