Jacob Gerhard Penner was born January 16, 1935 at Lawson, Saskatchewan. Jake was the fourth child of Henry & Maria (Loewen) Penner. Henry, Susan and Neil were older than he, and Peter, Martin, Bernie and John were younger. Jake attended Yarrow Elementary School and Sharon Mennonite Collegiate (SMC) in Yarrow. Jake was baptized at age 16 and joined Yarrow MB Church.

Jake and Agnes Kroeker were married June 9, 1961 His family includes his wife Agnes; children Myrna (Brad Leaney), Doug (Heather); 6 grandchildren; 5 siblings: Neil, Peter, Martin, Bernie and John. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Henry in 1999, John in 2013 and sister Susan Fedrau in 2016.

Jake & Agnes have been members of Yarrow, MB Church, Westwood MB Church, Prince George, MB Church and North Langley M.B. Church. Jake taught in Kitseguecla and Alert Bay, B.C. After attending MB Bible College, Winnipeg, Jake earned his BA at University of B.C. Right after their wedding, Jake and Agnes left for a 3-year adventure teaching MCC missionary children in Peru. In 1968, Jake took a 2-year teaching assignment in Jamaica with CIDA.

Jake and Agnes spent the next 28 years in B.C., where Jake taught math and started a Bible literature class at Prince George Secondary School. He enjoyed his role on the provincial math revision committee. Jake served Westwood MB Church, Prince George, as elder, care group leader and adult Sunday school teacher. He also initiated the MCC Fall Fair and served the Canadian MB board of education.

After retiring, the pull of the grandchildren brought Jake and Agnes to Langley, B.C., in 1998. Though health issues slowed him down, Jake taught English in St. Petersburg, Russia, with Trinity Western University.

At North Langley Community Church, he and Agnes led a care group and worked with Alpha. His last years were filled with gratitude, family vacations, solving puzzles and reconnecting with old friends from their adventures serving God together around the world.

Jake passed into the presence of the Lord on Friday May 31, 2014 while Agnes sang to him. He is survived by his loving wife Agnes, his children Myrna and Doug and his six grandchildren. The funeral was at North Langley Community Church on June 4, 2014.