Mary R. Penner

Mary R. Penner was born in Minneapolis, MN on September 24, 1940. God placed her in the caring arms of Russell and Ethel Lembke. She attended the University of Minnesota High School and became a member of Hope Lutheran Church. She then attended Pacific Lutheran College, University of Minnesota and graduated from St Olaf College in Northfield, MN. The same month she graduated from St Olaf College in 1963 she married Don Penner, a graduate student at the University of California, Davis and left for California. At Davis, California she worked for Montgomery Ward and in the Poultry Science Histology lab. In 1967, she and her husband moved to Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Following the birth of their second child, they moved to Williamston. She enjoyed living on a farm and loved walking in the woods. She and her husband were founding members of the MSU Mennonite Fellowship. She loved to cook, bake and read her Bible. In January of 1996 Mary was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis and with the help of Dr. M. Hourini survived another 20 years. She went to be with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2016. Survivors include her husband Donald of 52 ½ years, daughter Karen and son Mark. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.