PENNER, Lora Elma

Penner,Lora Elma 

January 31, 1939 – August 8, 2026

Lora was born in Namaka, Alberta, the 10th child of Maria and Nikolai Janzen’s 14 children. Mom always talked about all the fun they had growing up in a loud, rambunctious family where her own mom was most often the instigator of many water fights, pranks, and Anti-I-Over games. It was this upbringing that formed Mom’s personality, and Mom made sure that not only her children, but her grandchildren and great-grandchildren experienced the pranks, games, and sheer terror of having the bejabbers scared out of them as only Mom could do. 

Lora met the love of her life Lloyd on a blind date in 1958 and according to Mom she knew he was the man she was going to marry from that very first date. Together they have built a life that saw them set up a home in 4 different locations, the first being a farm in Swalwell Alberta for approximately 3 years, a second home in Calgary for 10 years, back to another farm 7 ½ miles east of Acme for 30 years and then building their retirement home in Strathmore in 2002 where Dad still resides. During these years they raised their son Darcy and their daughter Terry, formed lifelong friendships in every community, volunteered and gave back generously, learned to golf and curl, were involved in countless family meals, picnics, butchering and sausage making days, and more than a few local and provincial political meetings. Mom and Dad enjoyed being involved and led a full life.

 Mom always felt her life was blessed. She had the wonderful ability to be content with what life handed her. On the odd occasion if it wasn’t to her liking, she would rearrange the world till she was again content.

Lora and Lloyd were true life partners in every aspect; best friends, business partners, soul mates. Lora had a big personality, full of contradictions. She was quiet and introspective, polite and well mannered. She was loyal, brave, strong and competitive and she had a laugh that was so full it could not be contained. She made each of her grandchildren feel special. Their fond memories include walking across the yard to Grandma’s house for a breakfast of coffee and toast, Grandma slipping a green mint into their pocket as they left, quiet cups of tea with lots of milk and sugar after school with Grandma. Family meals served with a warm smile, piercing laughter, and teasing jabs, featuring fresh vegetables from her garden, pickles and preserves, fresh buns and roasted meats. Grandma pressing second and third helpings onto all, and the fundamental and un-assailable fact that every meal requires dessert, because dessert only fills in the cracks.

According to her grandchildren her spirit was best captured by the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, her cheeky grin, accompanied by an equally cheeky comment. She was a woman who presented a perfectly manicured and polite façade to the world, but to all those closest to her she let it be known that she was a rebel at heart, who had no intention of ever “behaving” and she recognized these traits in her grandchildren as she was a kindred spirit and for this we loved her.

Mom loved and is loved by her husband Lloyd, her son Darcy (Judy) & children Alexander (Sophie), Reid (Jamey), Erin (Ruben), Ellen (Hamza); great grandchildren Jack, Alice, Benjamin, Liam, Olivia, Mae, Cameron and Maxwell; and daughter Terry (Clae), sons Josh (Ocian), and Tyson (Aga).