Surely Goodness and Mercy Followed Me

By Bethany Helen Thielmann

Based on tape recordings with a grandson just before Peter's passing, and then penned by an appointed granddaughter-in-law (as well as a couple published tribute articles at the time of his death), this is a story of brokenness and redemption. But more than that, it is a tribute to the God Peter came to trust amidst his Perils, a God who became an experiential presence that lasted a lifetime.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483551272

Book preview

Penner

Preface

What an honour it has been to be the one behind the pen on this incredibly touching and memorable story. I’ve been changed by the experience, and have laughed and cried as these bits and pieces have become a story. I have to say that it could not have been written without the help of the entire family! It all started back that Christmas of 2010 when Uncle James presented Grandma and Grandpa with their gift, the tape recorder that would start it all.

That Grandpa’s story be written out was Grandma’s idea to begin with. Her constant encouragement and help, the books, the pictures, the notes she spent countless hours writing out to aid in this endeavour, were all paramount in this whole process. She filled in so many of the details that were left out; I could not have done it without her.

Thanks to Ian (and his patience, time and questions) we have the recordings. With Grandpa’s voice telling us these stories I had my starting point.

Of course Jeremy, my ever present encouragement, my family, and the whole extended Penner family and the Thielmann family, without all of you this never would have been written. A special thanks to Laura Petker for her willingness to edit Grandpa’s story; she did a fantastic job, she was the fresh eyes this story so desperately needed! Thanks to Laura and Don Petker for Russian and Mennonite historical insights.

I felt at times it would never get done; and you have all contributed in so many ways. Whether an encouraging word here and there, or even just the excitement that Grandpa’s story was going to be written. Thank you all!

Thanks most importantly goes to our heavenly Father, who gave me a gift and love of writing; and blessed in so many ways throughout this journey. Without Him we are nothing – He is everything!

Though we miss Grandpa, and always will, he has left us an incredible legacy. A life and a family of faith! He still lives on in the lives of us, his family, and all the others he touched in one way or another. He was a blessing and encouragement to everyone he met; we were blessed to be a part of his journey.

I have to think of the verse that has been shared on many occasions, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

He is so much missed, but we have the glorious hope and joy of knowing we will all see him again one day! All Praise, Honour and Glory to Him!

Bethany Helen Thielmann

Prologue Russia, Early 1900’s

Political Background, Russia, Early 1900’s

Russia was in complete and utter turmoil; chaos was everywhere.¹ Russia and Germany had been vying for control of much of the then known Eastern and Western fronts, the areas of land lying between them. Alliances with these countries were continually changing only to be broken again. The resulting hardships and mistrust for any German speaking people, which included all the Mennonites, resulted in huge migration to the United States and Canada in the late 1800’s. Migration was also fueled by Russia’s determination to force the Russian language on all ethnicities including the Mennonites. What made things worse for the Mennonites was also the betrayal of privileges such as military exemption and control of their education that had been promised when they came to the country.

The whole world was drawn into the World War1 conflict. New treaties were made, only to be broken and changed again. Even though Russia signed a treaty ending World War I², no one seemed to be assured of a peaceful existence. In 1917 Russia experienced the revolution when the ordinary peasants, known as the Bolsheviks, or White Army, who had been oppressed overthrew the Czarist government and took control under Vladimir Lenin. Prisons were opened and soon plundering, raping and murdering hordes were roaming about at will. No matter where a person looked there was destruction and horrendous sorrow. Although this revolt brought independence to the Ukraine and a new soar of hope, the Civil War set in and by 1920 Communist Russia, also known as the Red Army, regained control of the Ukraine.

By 1921, seven years of war, revolution, civil war, famine and invasion had exhausted Russia. Millions of people had died. Agricultural and industrial production had fallen disastrously. About half a million Russians, many of them skilled and educated, had left the country. The people’s discontent broke out in new peasant uprisings and workers’ strikes.

In that same year, Vladimir Lenin established a compromise called the New Economic Policy (NEP) to strengthen the country. Small industries and retail trade were allowed to operate under their own control. The peasants no longer had to give most of their farm products to the government.

In December 1922, the Communist government established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R). Byelorussia, Transcaucasia, and Ukraine joined with Russia to make up the union’s first four republics.

Joseph Stalin became general secretary of the Communist Party and began his rise to power as dictator. He was one of the cruellest rulers in history.

These were the growing up years of Peter’s parents, Peter Penner (born April 6, 1897) and Susanna Kliever (born April 18, 1900). They promised their love and fidelity to one another in their home village of Kontinuesfeld, Ukraine on November 10th, 1924.

This is a portion of their story.

August 1929

Kontineusfeld, Ukraine

Susanna Penner knew this feeling very well. She placed her hands protectively over her swollen abdomen and thought It’s going to be any day now. She’d experienced this knowing feeling already twice before. Susie was now three and Mary only just two, but it was time to add to the family. Soon the midwife would be coming; her husband, Peter, would fetch her when it was time. She tightened her hold on her stomach and prayed, asking God to protect her little one and to please, let her baby be healthy.

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It’s a boy! The words rang through the small room, and the squeals of their newborn son pierced the air around them. Susanna reached up as the midwife placed her baby boy into her arms. She was exhausted, and yet the sheer joy of bringing another life into the world brought tears to her eyes. She thanked God for him as she stared down at his precious face. She couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face, so great was her joy.

She couldn’t wait for her young daughters to meet their baby brother; she knew they would be ecstatic!

Her husband Peter was standing proudly beside her, also looking down into the face of their firstborn son. His name would be Peter; he would be his father’s namesake. The day was August 11th, 1929. With a son, the family was now more complete.

*********

As the collectivization was implemented, Stalin wanted to purge the land of any and all of the progressive farmers; their land would be taken and a revolt was feared. So to avert this, all wealthy landowners, after being forced off their land, were taken by train to the far north to work there for the state in forests or mines. Many would lose their lives because of the harsh living conditions. This was the uncertain world in which Peter and Susanna Penner and their three young children lived.

Their modest but cozy home consisted of the Big-room with the brick oven, the Forehouse, the Summer-room with a brick oven, a small Corner room, a Small-room, a Back-room, a Food-storage room with steps down into the cellar, the Corridor into the barn and steps onto the garret, as well as the Kitchen and cook stove. It was about 30.3 feet in width and 52.5 feet in length, about 1590 square feet.

Peter was followed not long after by Gertrude, September 4th, 1931; Elizabeth, May 20th, 1934; Hilda, May 30th, 1936 and then lastly, Henry, June 2nd, 1938. All of the children were born in Kontinuesfeld, Ukraine, except for Henry, who was born in Gnadenfeld, Ukraine, just ten kilometres southwest of Kontinuesfeld.

Peter’s Grandmother had come to live with them by this time as his Grandpa had already disappeared. Susanna welcomed her mother-in-law into their home, but it was not the easiest thing to do with three little ones running around already. She prayed continually for strength and perseverance to cope with the day to day struggles that arose. God was always faithful in providing just what they needed.

Susanna’s parents were sent to the north at one point, along with her sister Tina, and they were desperate for a way to get them back. Susanna prayed as hard as she could every day that they would come home.

Susanna’s husband Peter was on the Village Council at this point, and along with the Mayor they came up with a plan to get their loved ones back. The Mayor relayed a message to the train conductor that if the Kliewer’s and Aunt Tina could return to Kontinuesfeld they would be landless and work completely without pay. They would not even be counted as members of the Village. Peter signed a paper saying that he would take on the responsibility of providing for them and that they would not become a burden to the state. Susanna’s prayers were answered and she