Julia Ellen Penner

Julia Ellen Penner, age 97, of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, passed from us to her Lord, January 4, 2026.

Julia was born on March 4, 1928, to Clarence and Clara (Martin) Smucker. At the age of 12, she trusted Jesus as her Savior, and a year later, during a youth meeting, she made a wholehearted commitment to live her life for the Lord who had died and risen again for her. Her faith remained the foundation and guiding strength of her life.

On June 6, 1953, Julia married Bruno Penner at the Mennonite Church in Orrville, Ohio. They had met the previous summer while serving together in voluntary service. During that time, Bruno often preached at outdoor Sunday services, while Julia accompanied congregational singing on a portable organ. Through shared faith, mutual respect and love, and joy in one another’s company, their lifelong partnership was formed.

From 1951 to 1952, Julia taught first and second grade in Orrville, Ohio. After marriage, she devoted herself to her family, serving faithfully alongside Bruno in his various pastorates while lovingly raising their five children.

Though busy at home, Julia consistently found ways to serve others. She wrote children’s Sunday School curriculum for Mennonite Publishing House, attended women’s church meetings, and occasionally shared short talks or devotions during Sunday evening services. She also served as Primary Superintendent of Sunday School. During the summers, Julia opened her home to children from Chicago, and she and Bruno frequently welcomed guests, including visiting missionaries. In later years, as Bruno became less mobile, Julia’s devoted care and attentiveness stood as a lasting example to her children of love and commitment.

Julia is survived by her five children: Carolyn (Kevin) Randall of Huntsville, Texas; Timothy (Carolyn) Penner of Goshen, Indiana; Sharon (Perry) Harder of Mountain Lake, Minnesota; Mary (Steve) Cheslik of Harrisonville, Missouri; and Dan (Cheryl) Penner of Blair, Nebraska. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruno Penner; her parents; her sisters, Pauline, Virginia, and Carol; her brothers, Richard and Robert; and her great-granddaughter, June Randall.

Julia will be remembered for her steadfast faith, quiet service, generous hospitality, and deep love for her family and church. In a story she wrote for her children about her life with Bruno, she included these lines by Charles Wesley:

"All praise to our redeeming Lord, who joins us by His grace, And bids us each to each restored, together seek His face. He bids us build each other up; and gathered into one, To our high calling’s glorious hope, we hand in hand go on."