Clarabel Penner, age 84, of Osceola, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.

Her funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Sunday, November 3, at Faith Mennonite Church, rural Iroquois. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Her visitation was held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Saturday, November 2, at the Kuhler Funeral Home, and then continued from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, at the Faith Mennonite Church.

Our precious mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Clarabel (Dirks) Penner was born on February 7, 1940, to Edwin and Elda (Becker) Dirks near Burns, Kansas. She peacefully passed away at home, surrounded by her family, in the early morning hours of October 30, 2024.

When Mom was four years old she moved with her family to Montezuma, Kansas. She attended school in Montezuma and particularly enjoyed pitching in the softball games. She spoke fondly of her jobs she had in her youth; working in the local cafe and grocery store.

Mom accepted Christ as her personal Savior, and upon the confession of her faith she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She was faithful to her vows until the end.

In her later teens, Mom made a trip to visit relatives in Iroquois, South Dakota. While there, she learned to know our dad, Abe Penner, a "suitcase farmer" from Inman, Kansas. They were married May 29, 1960. As newlyweds they settled into a little house on the prairie, four miles north of Iroquois. The years came and went and they built up the farm and made it their own. The small house was replaced by a larger house. That house was made bigger two different times. They joyfully welcomed two sons and two daughters. Mom had a kind, caring heart, always having the happiness of her children foremost in her mind. We remember Mom's tireless energy in homemaking and gardening. Her yard and gardens flourished under her care. She worked quickly and efficiently. As we children worked beside her, she made it fun and interesting. How good the fried chicken was after a morning of butchering a few more chickens from her flock! She enjoyed simple family outings such as fishing in local lakes and dugouts; getting together for a breakfast in the pasture; or a backyard picnic.

As we children married and had families of our own, her mother heart welcomed each one. She took a keen interest in her grandchildren, making each one feel special.

Mom supported our dad in the office of the deaconry. She enjoyed the opportunities to travel and to give of herself to those they came in contact with.

Mom loved having Sunday dinner company. Sunday was for fellowship and she enjoyed inviting a mix of all ages to her table.

In later years, while living at Meadow Lane Villa, her hands were not idle. She filled the hours with knitting caps and making throws for the less fortunate.

Church attendance and Bible reading were important to Mother yet she struggled at times to accept life's circumstances and believe in God's promises. We as children greatly appreciate the rest and surrender we felt in her as she was nearing the Jordan River.  She greatly missed our dad who died just eight months ago. Our comfort is that she has now joined Dad in the Great Beyond.

Those left to cherish fond memories are her children: Philip and Marilyn of Iroquois, South Dakota, Anne and Don Schmidt of Stapleton, Georgia, Jean and Darrell Amoth of Pipestone, Minnesota and Jonathan and Jennifer of Iroquois, South Dakota; seventeen grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren; her sisters: Wanetta Parks, Joan Ensz and Gloria Koehn; her sister-in-law, Betty Penner; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband; her parents; one infant sister; one brother; one son-in-law, Silvan Fast; her parents-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.