Henry J. Penner, better known to his friends as Hank was born in the Ural Mountains of Russia, the year 1917. In 1926, Hank along with his parents came to Alberta and settled on a farm in the Provost district, where he received his schooling. Upon finishing his education he was employed on highway construction work, within the Sundre district. He followed this type of work until he joined the Canadian Army in 1943. He saw action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Returning from overseas in 1946 he returned to the Sundrie district where he met and married Laura Mallinson. In 1947 he came to Jasper (Laura came in 1948) and hired on with the Federal Government (as a heavy equipment operator, grading roads and streets) until the Trans-Mountain Pipeline was started, when he hired on with the Comstock Midwestern remaining with them until the completion of the pipeline. Returning to the Government he was in charge of the Miette Hot Springs for one summer. He then entered a Civil Service competition for Trades Supervisor, where he was successful in obtaining the position, which he held from 1952 to 1972. He then became Maintenance Supervisor at the Palisades Training Centre, a position he held until he retired in 1981. Hank had been very active in many different community activities. He was the first stage manager for the 'Jasper Story'. Active members of the United Church, both Hank and Laura were on the church board and Laura was tea convener for many years. He was a member of the Jasper Masonic Lodge No. 143, twice becoming the Worshipful Master. He was a life member and was presented with the J.B. Snape Past Master Jewel (1934). He was also six times Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Laura served three terms as Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. The Penners had one daughter, Janice (Peers) who was born in 1949. They lived at 811 Tonquin St. Hank passed away July 16, 2000 and Laura passed away March 24, 2001.<br><br>