Abraham Dueck Penner
| Abraham Dueck Penner | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1910 Hanover, Manitoba |
| 💀Died | March 7, 2008 (aged 97) Steinbach, ManitobaMarch 7, 2008 (aged 97) |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Canadian |
| 💼 Occupation | Owner of car dealership |
| Known for | Businessman and politician |
Abraham Dueck Penner (September 3, 1910 – March 7, 2008) was a businessman and politician from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, who was instrumental in transforming and modernizing the lifestyle of the conservative Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites of the region.[1][2]
Penner was born on a farm just outside of Steinbach to a Russian Mennonite family in 1910 and established Steinbach’s first Dodge dealership in 1937.[3][4] While serving on Steinbach city council from 1947–1957, he helped establish Steinbach as a town separate from the Rural Municipality of Hanover.[5]
Most significantly, however, was his cultural impact on the Mennonite community, leading to the assimilation of the Mennonites in southern Manitoba into mainstream society.[6][7] Prior to Penner, Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites were reserved, spoke Plautdietsch, were primarily agrarian, and eschewed flashiness and consumerist consumption. Penner, who boasted that he had not spoken the traditional Mennonite dialect in decades, was flamboyant and aggressive in his lifestyle, political leadership and approach to business. During the 1950s, he “created a new helm for businessmen” of the region that was not based on agriculture. His buildings were “ultramodern” and his approach was aggressive, all things that clashed with the traditional lifestyle of the local Mennonites. In 1960 Penner tore down the last historic housebarn in Steinbach, an act of destruction that spurred on concerned locals to create the Mennonite Heritage Village in order preserve the area’s remaining historic buildings. Whereas the traditional Mennonite lifestyle meant that Steinbach had had a primarily agricultural-based economy before this time, Penner coined the phrase “The Automobile City” and promoted Steinbach as a center for the automobile trade in Manitoba, a reputation that still stands today. By 1960, Carillon News observed that “things aren’t as simple as they used to be in this peaceful Mennonite dorp.” [8][9] Penner was a co-creater of the 18 hole Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course which was completed in 1970, with Premier Ed Schreyer presiding over the opening.[10]
Penner was mayor of Steinbach from 1971 to 1980. A large park in his name was established in Steinbach. Steinbach’s “Abe’s Hill” is also named in his honour.[citation needed]
References
- ↑ Royden Loewen (2006). Diasapora in the Countryside: Two Mennonite Communities and Mid-Twentieth Century Rural Disjuncuture. University of Toronto Press. Search this book on
- ↑ "Memorable Manitobans: Abraham Dueck Penner (1910-2008)". Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ Myron Love (December 15, 2017). "Birchwood acquires Steinbach Dodge Chrysler". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ↑ "Tribute to A.D. Penner". steinbachonline.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
- ↑ Warkentin, Abe (1971). Reflections on Our Heritage. Derksen Printers. Search this book on
- ↑ P. Travis Kroeker (2017). Messianic Political Theology and Diaspora Ethics. Cascade Books. Search this book on
- ↑ T.D. Regehr (1974). Mennonites in Canada:1939-1970: a people transformed. University of Toronto Press. Search this book on
- ↑ Friesen, Ralph (September 2009). Between Earth and Sky: Steinbach, The First 50 Years. Derksen Printers. Search this book on
- ↑ "Steinbach Main Street - Part Four" (PDF). Preservings. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Steinbach aces it: Town's friendly Fly-In Golf Club a course with a colourful past". Winnipeg Free Press. May 17, 2014. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
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