Arnold Penner

Obituary

Arnold Penner, age 69, of Woodridge, Manitoba, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, February 7, 2025.

Arnold was born on May 18, 1955, in Santa Clara, Mexico. When he was 10 years old, he moved with his parents to Canada, living in Landmark, Beausejour and finally settling on the dairy farm in Ridgewood, MB.

At the age of 21 he was baptized on the confession of his faith in the Ridgewood EMC in May of 1976.

Together with his father and brother Willie they worked on the dairy farm. In 1986 they went their separate ways. Arnold moved east of the farm and went into hog farming for six years. When the price of hogs dropped, he was forced to leave farming and pursue other avenues. Arnold went to an auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa thinking that this was something he would like to do. In 1992 he changed careers again and went into long haul trucking. He was employed at Penner International for 19 years, and in 2011 went to drive for J.P. Transport.

In 1999 Arnold met Shirley, the love of his life, and they married on October 27, 2001. They lived in Steinbach from 2001 to 2014 when they built their dream home and moved to Woodridge, MB. Shirley joined him on the truck and together they travelled many miles. They spent the next 11 years running team and building Arnie’s Trucking, employing multiple drivers, and at its peak running seven semi-trucks. While at Penners, Arnold and Shirley had a scheduled run to B.C., which they did for 10 years. This run enabled him to provide fresh fruit for family and friends. After switching to J.P. Transport, Arnold and Shirley ran the U.S. In the two years they were there they touched nearly all 48 states, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.

Arnold absolutely loved his home in Woodridge, fondly referred to as Penner’s Getaway. He spent hours on the patio or looking out the window. Quadding was a passion of his and he knew the back trails well. When grandchildren came for a visit, he would love nothing more than to take them for rides. Arnold convinced Shirley last summer to take him for one last ride, on the back of a trailer hooked up to a quad. It was a slow ride around town, but it brought him so much joy. Arnold had a fascination with clocks and John Deere tractors, and he had quite the collection.

In August 2013 life changed after Arnold was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Four months later he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, which has a life expectancy of 7-8 years. Shirley cared for Arnold at home, and he lived 11 years after his diagnosis. In the early hours of February 7, 2025, with Shirley by his side, Arnold went to be with his Lord and Saviour.

Arnold will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife of 23 years, Shirley. His children Floyd and grandchildren Kailey (Adam), Alexis, and Logan; Miranda (Kevin) and grandchildren Owen and Makenna; Conroy (Joneva) and grandchildren Seth, Cameron, Eliana, Ethan, Nicholas and Netalia; Melanie (Roger) and grandchildren Emily and Adalynn; Jason and grandchildren Brendon ((Alex) and great-grandchildren Aidan and Jackson), Kelbyn and Jocelyn; Trevor (Amanda), grandchildren Keigen and Gemma. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, mother -in-law Helen Harder, and extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Martin & Agatha Penner, brothers Willie and Dave and their spouses, sister Anna and her husband and granddaughter Celestia in infancy.

Shirley would like to thank the ladies that worked respite for her so she could continue to care for Arnold at home. Thank you, ladies, without your help Shirley could not have done this.

The family would also like to thank everyone for their prayers during this time.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing one hour prior.

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