Rose Hildegard Penner (née Wiens) age 84 passed away peacefully on February 9, 2023 in Kelowna, British Columbia surrounded by close family. Born November 3rd 1938 to Maria and Peter Wiens in Rabbit Lake Saskatchewan, she was the third of fourteen children. Rose grew up on a farm in Glenbush, Saskatchewan and learned to survive in -40 degree temperatures! She would ride to school in those conditions in a horse pulled open sleigh, enroute she and her siblings would sing to entertain themselves.

In 1961 Rose graduated from Bethany Bible College and then headed west for nursing school at Vancouver General (VGH) where she graduated in 1964. During her time at VGH she met and married Ernst Penner, her loving husband of 58 years. They moved to Burnaby where they raised two children before retiring to Vernon in 2004. Rose worked at Burnaby General Hospital for 35 years.

Rose enjoyed fishing at Telegraph Cove during the summers and skiing at Silver Star Mountain during the winter. She was a gifted quilter, baker, community volunteer and avid sports fan. Rose liked spending time with friends, her Bosom Buddies group, and many family members. She was also very involved in her church from Pioneer Girls to Sunday morning greeter. Rose’s faith and relationship with the Lord was visible in the way she unselfishly shared her time and home with others, including the many occasions where she and Ernie provided a home for relatives and friends who needed a place to land.

Rose Penner is survived by her husband Ernst Penner; daughter Tamara Goodwin and husband Paul; son Dana Penner and wife Robyn. She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren; Matthew, Spencer and Kathrina Goodwin, Luke, Savannah (husband Whitten Dominguez), Micah and Lauryn Penner. She will also be deeply missed by surviving siblings, extended family and many friends.

Rose’s Celebration of Life will take place on April 8th, 2023 at Grace Bible Church of Vernon. In lieu of flowers, you may share her compassion for others by making a donation to Operation Smile or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.