The body of a well-known Steinbach businessman will be laid to rest on Saturday. Darrel Penner passed away on Tuesday, June 25th. 

Penner was born on June 8, 1958, in Steinbach. According to his obituary, Penner could hardly wait to start work, and at a young age piled lumber in the family business. He went on to assume all tasks at Penner Farm Services as he grew older. He liked to say he knew the company from nuts and bolts to the big picture.

His obituary states that Penner's early hockey career prevented him from graduating, but as soon as he completed adult education, he moved on to Red River College for his business administration degree. Upon graduation, he received the 'keener of the year' award. 

His first employment after graduation was with the Steinbach Credit Union loans department, before rising through the ranks. 

The opportunity presented itself for Penner to join the family business and his obituary states that he was ready and eager to move on to the next chapter of his life. It says his experience in banking gave him a solid foundation in business finance and that his strongest qualities were fairness and a passion for honesty, which extended to his dealings with customers and employees alike.

His obituary says that Penner was well-respected in the business community and was known for his generosity and frankness. 

Penner is survived by his wife Cari of 41 years. 

"Darrel is a man that will be greatly missed," says Waldo Neustaedter, who served with Penner on the Bethesda Foundation board. "I would have to describe him as being low profile but high impact."

Neustaedter says Penner's business acumen was outstanding, noting he was a visionary and had focus. 

"Numbers and finance and achieving results," notes Neustaedter, identifying some of his strengths. "And bringing a team together, whether it was his own business or his involvement, which was major, at Bethesda Foundation."

Neustaedter says that at the time of Penner's death, he was Chair at Bethesda Foundation. Having joined the Foundation in the late 1990s, Neustaedter says Penner was also Chair of Bethesda Wellness. 

"His impact was just outstanding," adds Neustaedter. "A man of character, good judgment, and very passionate about health care, very passionate about the community and passionate about the well-being of his fellow mankind here."

Former Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen also knew Penner well, serving together on the Bethesda Foundation board.

"Darrel was an astute businessperson, he knew how to negotiate deals," says Goertzen. "He knew how to run businesses incredibly successfully."

Goertzen says Penner also brought his business acumen to boards like the Bethesda Foundation. 

"He really provided a lot for the community through his advice, through his ability to think way ahead and be able to be really strategic in decision making," adds Goertzen. "He's going to be really missed, not only at Bethesda Foundation but in the entire community."

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 29 at 11 am at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach.