H. Alvin Penner

Obituary

Passed on September 20, 2023

Peacefully on September 20, 2023 at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Alvin Penner beloved husband of Shirley Patton Penner. Alvin was the youngest child of Nickolas and Agatha Penner. He was predeceased by sisters Margaret, Helen and Selma and his brother Nickolas and his brothers of the heart Hank, Johnny and Herbie. He is also survived by daughter Shanne and her three children and many nieces and nephews.

For 83 years Alvin has lived in the same house on the family farm. He was born to a farmer and in July of 1974 Alvin married a farmer’s daughter Shirley. One of his earliest memories was sitting in an apple box on the tractor with his Dad. Alvin graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Diploma in Agriculture and began his farming career in earnest. For a period of time, he raised pigs but he realized they were not for him and he realized anything that ate hay was also not for him. He had enough of moving hay when he was young – grain farming was it. Alvin loved the whole process of farming, the seeding, watching Shirley do the harrow work, spraying and combining. The very best though was the harvest meals in the field and crop tours checking for weeds or bugs. In the seventies and early eighties he combined with the Cottingham brothers Bob and Glen and his son Greg. Drying grain all night was no fun- hauling it to the elevator sure was. When it was deep till he was up at 4 am “to get a good start in the field” He loved his job!

Alvin loved dogs and he always said he was lucky to have had so many great dogs and that they were so intelligent; Skeeter, Herman, Auggie Doggie (alias the Red Baron) the skidoo rider. They could be seen flying along Hwy 8 with her red scarf flying in the wind. Then came Waggs, Jackum and lastly our beloved Bear. Alvin always took the time to play with them no matter the time of day he came home.

The travel bug bit early on in life and he was happiest tooling down the interstate sipping on a cool one heading for a warm spot down south. He loved the desert and over the years he had many companions – Lyle, Bert, Herbie, Johnnie, Glen, Irvin, Randy and Mike all made memories. Great memories of having beer with Patsy Cline and June Carter at Rose’s Dance Garden in Pismo Beach, California. He met and had a long visit with Willie Nelson and watched Herbie jam with the Beach Boys.

Alvin loved music, Saturday was the George Jones day. His Jones’er were legendary full of good food, assorted beverages and everyone welcome. Sunday it was gospel music and he had it wired into the garage and the gazebo.

In 1998 the garage was built and filled with Route 66 mementos, neon signs, old tools and anything that took his fancy. He could often be found studying his Rand McNally Atlas planning the next trip. Music on the stereo and the BBQ heating up for a steak. Alvin was always ready for a road trip.

Alvin was extremely proud of Shirley’s cooking and how she maintained a beautiful yard. He loved every flower as long as it was yellow or orange. In the later years he had very successful garden. Early in the morning you could see him head out to the garden with his dog and two or three cats to weed. In the afternoon he could be found napping in the gazebo with his dog, two or three cats and the stereo playing.

In February of 1990 Alvin was honored when he and Shirley were awarded the commission of Kentucky Colonel. He took great delight when the invitation to the Kentucky Derby and its many functions arrived. It was on his bucket list of things yet to be done. A series of health issues made the dream impossible. Alvin lived everyday of his 83 years to the fullest with no regrets.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Dunara Community Church, Box 507 RR#1 Petersfield, MB., R0C 2L0 or Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1M3.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Rockwood Centennial Centre in Teulon at 11:00 am. Interment at Dunara Community Church on Hwy. #8 after the service. Officiated by Rev. Kathleen McConnell.

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