Obituary of Martha Penner

A Graveside Service for Martha Lizzie Penner, 100, of Chico, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 at 10 a.m. in Glen Oaks Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will follow at 11 a.m. at Grace Community Church. After a long and fulfilling life, Martha died on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 at Townsend House Assisted Living in Chico, with her daughter at her side. She was born Jan. 27, 1911, to John and Anna Warkentin in Escondido, CA, as the youngest of seven children. In 1914, her family moved to Corn, Oklahoma and eventually settled in Capay, CA in 1924 where they farmed. In 1930, Martha graduated from Hamilton High School and attended Chico State University for the next two years. She married Edwin W. Penner in 1933, and was married 67 years until his death in 2000. They lived in Chico until 1988, then moved to Reedley, CA and back to Chico in 1996. She loved to sew and travel with her husband, Ed. They visited Israel and cruised to Alaska. During the last few years of her life, Martha shared with many friends and family her desires to be with Ed again by joining him in heaven. During their marriage, Martha worked for several years at the Sunshine Bakery in downtown Chico. She was also employed for over 10 years by Fabrics West, where she used her talents as a seamstress to make tailored clothing used in the storefront windows. The Penner's were members of Grace Baptist Church of Chico for over 45 years, where Martha served as Sunday School Secretary for most of that time. The Penner's were also active in the Gideon International Service for over 4 decades. She is survived by a son, Ronald (June) of Red Bluff; a daughter, Karen (Nels) Christensen of Chico; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Brusie Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon International, in care of the funeral home.