Helene "Leni" A. Pannenberg

Helene Anna Pannenberg, age 96, passed away on October 16th, 2021 at her residence in St. Clare Commons, Perrysburg, Ohio. Her remarkable and inspiring story began in Dortmund, Germany on August 20th, 1925. She was just shy of her 14th birthday when war was declared on her homeland. In the midst of turmoil, she continued with school and even distinguished herself as an Olympic caliber rower. Railroads were targets, and on the way to one important regional competition, the train and boats were destroyed by Allied bombers. With America’s entry into the war in 1941, her home town, a major industrial center, now had a bullseye on it and “Leni” was moved out of harm’s way to a rural area east of Lippstadt. She spent the majority of the conflict there doing farm chores. Meanwhile, in Dortmund, her family apartment was destroyed and her mother was badly injured during the endless bombing runs. Her father was typically away as a railroad engineer with an unknown fate on any given day. Both survived, as did her three brothers. In post-war Germany, Leni attended secretarial school, eventually becoming the executive secretary to the president of the German Dental Association. In 1950, during a visit to the family she had sheltered with, a farm hand proposed to her. She missed her usual evening trip home and had to take the midnight train. Here, in a car full of celebrating soccer players sat a quiet man who decided to come over and join her. He would become her future husband. Heinz, a regular commuter, was studying for his Master Electrician Degree nearby. They courted and married on May 1st of 1953. Heinz had been a German POW in both the United States and Scotland for a total of three years, but America captured his heart and he was passionate about emigrating there to start a new life. This they did. Leni crossed the Atlantic pregnant and their new chapter began in Canada. Here, she gave their last $10 dollars to the dock worker to retrieve their steamer chest. It contained all their earthly belongings. The new Mrs. Pannenberg cleaned offices and labored in the tobacco fields to help make ends meet. Work in Toledo, Ohio, brought the new family to America where they studied hard to become U.S. citizens. Leni settled into her new life as a wife and mother of four. She worked part time as an H and R Block executive tax consultant where she was in very high demand. She managed the family finances, planned family events and orchestrated many a beloved trip to the beach. Her culinary skills were legendary. “Can I get you a little something” meant a fabulous meal was on the way. She always enjoyed the cultural side of life including the Toledo Orchestra, Ballet and Opera and used to say “you don’t need a lot of money to have class”. Leni was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Heinz. She leaves behind her four children; Rita (Dr. Richard) Thomas, Port Clinton, Ohio; Ingrid (Bart) Beavers, Perrysburg, Ohio; Mark (Tracy) Pannenberg, Charlotte, N.C.; and Bryan Pannenberg, Toledo, Ohio. She is also survived by her extended family in Germany, most notably her brother-in-law, Willi Pannenberg and sisters-in-law Maria Pannenberg and Reni Sieberg. Leni was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Her love, wit and wisdom will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 3:00pm- 7:00pm (with recitation of the Rosary at 6:30pm) @ Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551. The funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 am, Thursday, October 21, 2021, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 24250 Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Clare Commons as well as Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their kindness and loving care. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Heinz and Leni Pannenberg Scholarship Fund at St. Frances de Sales High School; 2323 West Bancroft Road; Toledo, Ohio 43607 To share memories and condolences with Leni’s family, please visit the website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com and open the Perrysburg location link.