Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1905-1966 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
2.30 Cubic Feet
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
from Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:
Anna Gertrude Penner, daughter of Heinrich D. and Katherine Dalke Penner, was born Oct. 4, 1886 near Hillsboro, Kan. In February 1903 she was baptized by Rev. J. S. Hirschler and became a member of the Hillsboro Mennonite Church. In 1914, her membership was transferred to the Bethel College Mennonite Church.
On Oct. 8, 1912, she entered the Bethel Deaconess Home and Hospital for a course in nursing to serve as a deaconess. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1915. On Oct. 1, 1916, she was ordained as a deaconess by her father, Rev. H. D. Penner. Sister Gertrude has remained active as a deaconess, serving as a nurse, Public Health Nurse, as instructor in the Bethel School of Nursing, and for about 25 years in various capacities in the Bethel Home for Aged. In her later years she was receptionist at the Bethel Student Nurses Home. She was the first deaconess of our institution to observe her 50th anniversary in this calling.
On Feb. 17, 1967, Sister Gertrude was admitted to the Bethel Deaconess Hospital as a heart patient. Five days later, on Feb. 22, she quietly departed to the heavenly mansion prepared for her.
Sister Gertrude's departure left but five members remaining of the Rev. and Mrs. H. D. Penner family. They are: Albert H., Hillsboro, Mrs. Walter E. (Linda) Niles, Sedgwick; Mrs. J. K. (Ruth) Dirks, Wichita; Mrs. Emil W. (Hulda) Haury, Tucson, Ariz.: and Mrs. A. L. (Verna) Miller, Partridge, Kan.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Mar. 5, 1991. Donated by Clarence B. Niles.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection contains biographical and personal materials related to Anna Gertrude Penner’s extended career as a deaconess nurse, including a set of diaries spanning over fifty years. Perhaps most unique are papers related to her training as a public health worker and two years of work as a public school nurse in Newton (the first school nurse in Newton?), 1916-21.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Additional materials were donated by Clarence Niles on 25 Feb 1992 and 25 May 1992.
Some other items brought over from the Sisters Home 14 Apr 1992 after Bethel Hospital was closed.
The final addition was donated by John D. Thiesen from the papers of Anna Kroeker Thiesen, 4 Sep 2003.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
open for research use
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
- German