February 2023

Geraldine Faye “Gerry” (Martin) Penner was born December 29, 1936, at Corn, Oklahoma to John H & Selma (Schmidt) Martin. She accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior in January of 1946 in their country kitchen around the pot belly stove. Her parents prayed with her after clearly showing God’s plan of salvation. John 3:17 was a special Bible verse which she claimed for herself at that time. She was baptized in a farm pond on May 26, 1946, near Bessie Oklahoma. She attended Greenfield Grade School, a 2-room country school in Oklahoma. When this school closed, Gerry attended the Corn Public School through 8th grade. She graduated from Corn Bible Academy in 1954. Gerry then started nurses training because there were insufficient funds to attend college to become a Home Economics teacher. Her nurse’s training fees were $50 a year for 3 years. This fee included room and board, all books, and uniforms. She was required to work from 11pm 7am and then start classes at 8:00am. She graduated in 1957 and started working at the Clinton Hospital in the OB ward. Throughout her nursing career, Gerry primarily worked in the OB department, working the night shift in Weatherford, OK, and Dodge City, KS, until retiring in 1998. Even though she worked the night shift she did not miss church or make a habit of sleeping during the sermon. Gerry married Willy Penner April 4,1958, at the Bessie MB church. They had been married just short of 65 years at the time of her death. They were the proud parents of 4 children: Ronna, Ivan, Leon, and Carla, who died as an infant. She and Willy worked to provide a nurturing environment and a foundation built on Christ’s love for the world. Gerry provided an example of service in the church to her family. She served as pianist at various churches and as chairwoman of Southern District Women’s Missionary Service of the Mennonite Brethren Conference.

5/25/1954 - 1/19/2023 Dale Edward Smith was born May 25, 1954 in Arkansas City Kansas to Vada P. and Edward M. Smith. He graduated from Newton High School in 1972. Right out of high school he started working for the Santa Fe Railroad on the track crew. Over his career he worked for several railroads working his way up to Road Master over tracks in Louisiana. A heart attack in 2000 ended his work career but gave him more time do the the things he loved, fishing and hanging out with friends. In recent years Dale and his partner, Sandy Irby, made the move from Kansas to the place he always loved, Toleda Bend Lake in Louisiana. At the lake Dale lived the life he always dreamed of...boating, fishing, cookouts and gathering with family and friends. Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Edward M and Vada P Smith. He is survived by sister, Karen Kliewer (Lonnie) Wichita, Ks and many neices and nephews. Memorial donations can be made to Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) P.O. Box 1031, Many, LA 71449