Carolyn Johnetta Penner

Carolyn Johnetta (Baergen) Penner, born April 15, 1938, in Cordell, Ok. She passed on March 15, 2026, in Chouteau, Ok at the age of 87. Her parents were John and Emma (Nickel) Baergen.  After Emma' passing John married Agnes Kroeker Enns. Carolyn married John “Wayne” Penner, December 30, 1956, at Eden Mennonite Church They were married for 69 years. Carolyn and John lived in Clinton two separate times and Cottonwood Falls, KS before moving to the Penner farm in rural Inola, before settling in Chouteau.

Carolyn and John loved traveling in their fifth wheel/motor home. You could often find them camping at Blue Bill Point or traveling across the states often with family. They also made many friends traveling showing off their antique trucks. Carolyn loved hosting family dinners and get togethers. When their current house was built she wanted a big kitchen for all to gather. Carolyn and her sister Florence ran an upholstery shop built at their home in Chouteau by Uncle Albert Penner.

She later went to work for Bank of Commerce in Chouteau before moving to Bank of Inola when it first opened. She retired in 2004 as Vice President of the current RCB in Inola. Carolyn served as Treasurer of Eden for several terms. She also belonged to Women in Mission and Prayer Pals. She was an avid doll collector, but her passion was being a talented seamstress. Cross-stitch, sewing clothes, and quilting were some of her talents. One of her highlights each week was the Thursday Quilting Group at Eden Church. She also loved being in charge of the Quilt Auctions at church for several years and collecting Christmas ornaments & décor for the MCC Sale at Enid.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents John Baergen, Emma, and Agnes. Two infant brothers Edward Ray and Albert Roy, her sisters Doris Helms, Betty Plett, Florence Moore and Lorena Jantz. She is survived by her husband John, son Larry Penner and wife Judy, daughter Diane Hammons and husband Eddie. Brother Gary Baergen . Grandsons Nathan Hammons and wife Samantha, Todd Penner and wife Leila, Joel Penner and wife Kayla. Great Grandkids Waylon, Sunny and Caroline, along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in the Eden Mennonite Church in Inola, Oklahoma with Pastor David Wiens officiating. Burial will follow in the Eden Mennonite Cemetery with Nathan Hammons, Todd Penner, Joel Penner, Waylon Buller, Michael Baergen, and Barry Jantz serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Karl Kroeker and Ken Froese. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eden Mennonite Church Library.

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