Marie A. Panning

Marie A. Panning

November 27, 1925 - July 2, 2024

   Marie Anna Panning, 98, formerly of Deshler and Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024, at the Elizabeth Scott Community in Maumee, Ohio. Marie lived a full, happy, and rich life, guided always by her faith and her enduring love for her family.
 
   Marie was born on November 27, 1925, in Napoleon, Ohio, to the late Ferdinand and Mary (Otte) Wachtman. She was baptized on December 20, 1925 by Pastor George Hass and confirmed on April 2, 1939 by Pastor George Hueter, both at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon Township.   She grew up on a busy farm outside Napoleon with her parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.  She loved her close-knit community that included aunts, uncles, cousins and many close neighbors and friends.
 

   On April 27, 1947, she married Herbert Arthur Panning at St. John Lutheran Church, Deshler, officiated by Pastor Carl Knollman. Their wedding reception and barn dance was held at the Panning family farm. Together, Marie and Herb ran a livestock, grain, and tomato farm outside Deshler. Marie loved her life on the farm with her husband, helping in the fields yet always finding time to prepare abundant and delicious meals for their family. She was a skilled homemaker and took pride in keeping a welcoming home for gathering family and friends. Marie and Herb were active members of the Bavarian Haus in Deshler and went to many dances and events there over the years. Marie spoke often of the happy memories of the weekend she and Herb spent in New York City to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. Herb preceded her in death on July 4, 1982.
   
   After losing her husband while still in her mid-50s, Marie persevered and continued an active, joyful, and productive life. She welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, built a new home for herself in Napoleon, continued her work as a housekeeper, and all the while, kept the family farm for many decades. Marie was very active in her church community: she sang in choir, taught Sunday school, and was a regular member of the women’s group. She used her talents to serve others at her church, most notably through her years quilting with friends. One of her favorite memories was traveling to Germany in 1995 with her three children to celebrate her 70th birthday. There, they toured the countryside and Munich, traveled by auto and train, and met new Wachtman and Panning relatives who enjoyed speaking with Marie in low German.

   Most of all Marie loved and cared for the family that she and Herb were blessed with: 3 children, Lou Ann (Norm) Brettel, Garry (Louise) Panning, and Annette (Steve) Collier; 10 grandchildren, Emily (Jeremy) Nixon, Heather (Rob) Fields, Christin (Nick) Barnes, Maggie (Kevin) Pearce, Laura (John) Davies, James (Adrienne) Panning, Katie (Ian) Wedgewood, David (Logan) Collier, Adam (Allie) Collier, and John Collier; and 26 great-grandchildren: Mac, Riley, Gilbert, Audrey, Addie, Brayden, Natalie, John Henry, Molly, Mason, Ryan, Ceridwen, Sophie, Esther, Olive, Margot, Lucy, George, Tommy, Hattie, Grant, Ebba, Gwendolyn, Elliot, Wesley, and Everett.
   
   Marie is survived by brother Donald (Carolyn) Wachtman of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
   
   Marie was also preceded in death by brother William Wachtman and sisters Laura Bahler, Martha Young, Hilda Green, and great-granddaughter Olive Wachtman Panning.
   
   Marie’s funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church, Deshler, with Rev. Steve Bauerle officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery, and a fellowship luncheon will follow.
   
   Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler, and from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the church.
   
  In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or St. John Lutheran Church, Deshler.
 

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