“A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”
Gordon Penner, age 91, went to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on July 16, 2025 at the Dryden Hospital with two of his beloved grandchildren at his side. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Gordon was born November 9, 1933 in Steinbach, Manitoba. He moved with his family in 1948 at age 15 to Red Lake Road where his father Alfred and uncles had started Colenso Lumber Company. Gordon’s grandfather M.M. Penner had earlier started building Upper Falls Baptist Church because Gordon’s grandma had said “you can’t move to a place that has no church”! Gordon attended Quibell School until starting work at Colenso Lumber. Gordon worked in and loved the lumber business all his life until retirement from the Dryden mill. He was a creative inventor and woodworker who made many treasured items for children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gordon gave his life to the Lord in November 1954 at 21. In 1957, Gordon went on a mission’s road trip to Mexico with friends which deeply impacted his faith. In 1958 he met the love of his life, Dorothy Mutcher at Grant Memorial Baptist Church in Winnipeg. They later married on September 12, 1959 and lived on the Colenso yard until 1961 when they moved into the house he built on the Wabigoon River – and never left. Many family gatherings and memories were made there.
One big project of Gordon’s was building his Trawler Yacht ‘CYROON’ which he started in 1975 and didn’t launch until 20 years later in 1995. He always said the best part was putting it together. Many hours were spent with family sailing around on Lake of the Woods.
Gordon was a very present and involved grandfather. He and Dorothy travelled long distances and spent much time attending sporting and special events. He made all of his 9 grandchildren feel very special and loved and maintained close relationships with them into adulthood.
He joyfully served God at Upper Falls Baptist Church all his adult life in many capacities such as choir, Boys Brigade, AWANA kids club, deacon and maintenance. Two quotes that describe our dad, grandpa and great grandpa are: “a long obedience in the same direction” and the Lumberjack Proverb “A tree is best measured when cut down”. Dad was a Godly man of integrity and an example to all of us.
Gordon is predeceased by his parents Alfred and Erika Penner, beloved wife Dorothy in July 2021, brother Jim, and brothers in law Heinz and Lawrence. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his sisters Elizabeth Roy (Andy) and Nancy Holcroft (David); his children Cindy (Derrick), Jerome (Krista) and Burton (Carlyn); grandchildren Ashley (Josh), Rachelle, Lisa, Linden (Sarah), Erika (Vincent), Marty (Jordan), Forrest (Johanna), Rainier (Amelia) and Arielle (Jonathan); great grandchildren Maya, Avery, Ethan, Isaiah, Madison, Everett, Eden, Michael, Abigail and Gideon. As well as many other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 at the Vermilion Bay Lions Hall at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The John Ankerberg Show for the purchase of Audio Bibles (a mission project very close to dad’s heart), by calling 604-335-6581 or online at https://atriresearch.org/donate
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