Thelma Marie Penner

August 25, 2010
Thelma Marie (Gerhardt) Penner
Jan. 10, 1933 - Aug. 23, 2010

Thelma Marie (Gerhardt) Penner, 77, Kokomo, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. She was a resident at Waterford Place Health Campus, Kokomo.

Thelma was born to the late Harry Albert Emil and Louise Marie (Stuenkel) Gerhardt on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1933, in Netawaka, Kan. (Jackson County). God welcomed her into His family at baptism on Jan. 29, 1933, and confirmed her faith through the rite of confirmation on April 14, 1946. She married John Edward Penner of Peru on Sept. 12, 1954.

Thelma worked as a cook and cafeteria supervisor at Maple Crest Middle School in the 1970s and was self-employed as a seamstress. Thelma enjoyed sewing, needlework, travel and time with family. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi social, cultural and civic sorority and a missionary and quilter within the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Service Guild at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo. Thelma was an active member at the church for more than 50 years.

Thelma is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, John. She was the beloved mother of two sons, David Wayne Penner and wife Janet Kay (Dammann), Lake Zurich, Ill., and Gary Edward Penner and wife Janis Gale (Walters), Fort Wayne; and one daughter, Sara Louise Schamerloh and husband Richard J., Fort Wayne. She was also the beloved grandmother of four grandchildren, Andrew, Alison, Janie and Claire; and two sisters, Lois, Topeka, Kan., and Dorothy, Omaha, Neb.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Harry Albert Emil and Louise Marie (Stuenkel) Gerhardt; and siblings, Linda Kay (Auten) Gerhardt, Raymond Gerhardt, Lyle Gerhardt and Eldon “Joe” Gerhardt.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo, with the Rev. William Allison officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 Lincoln Road, and one hour before the service Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Thelma Penner Memorial, Lutheran Women’s Missionary Service Guild at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd., Kokomo, IN 46902, or Thelma Penner Memorial, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.