Lillian Penke, 85

Lillian Penke, 85, of Bennington, died Feb. 5, 2007

Funeral services were Feb. 8, at Zion West Lutheran Church. Interment was at the Flower Hill Cemetery.

Lillian Hansen was born July 8, 1921, in Chalco to Henry and Emma (Roll) Hansen.

She was baptized Jan. 29, 1922, at Chalco Lutheran Church and was confirmed April 18, 1943, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard. She attended school at District No. 36, close to Millard, and Portal School in Papillion. While growing up, she helped her parents on the farm, and her neighbors with housework. On Jan. 9, 1943, she married Reinhold Penke at Zion Lutheran parsonage. The couple had two daughters, and the family lived and farmed near Bennington, and were members of Zion West Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Penke like to dance on Saturday night in the “good old days.” They liked to entertain and play cards with family and friends.

After her husband had a stroke, they moved into Bennington where Mrs. Penke cared for him for five years. She also did ironing for clients.

Her hobbies included baking, gardening, canning, scrapbooking, embroidery, listening to polka music, and talking on the phone with family and friends. She especially looked forward to each holiday, decorating the house for each occasion. She didn’t decorate and bake just for herself; she did it because she wanted to share and give to others. She was very caring and was always there to lend a helping hand.

Her grandchildren have fond memories of her hearty laugh; the Juicy Fruit gum and mints always in her purse; candy dishes and baked goods; slumber parties at her house; pickled cucumbers; her weather reports; the many uses of her bushel baskets; the shiny stickers on her greeting cards; and her colorful and always matching jewelry. Her great-grandson kept her spunky and the arrival of a great-granddaughter in July was recent excitement, and she was looking to the arrival of a third great-grandchild this month.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Robert Fuchs of Arlington and Melinda and Steve Sergeant of Omaha; four grandchildren and their families; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Arthur Hansen of Omaha; and a sister, Mayme Penke of Bennington; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Reinhold; brothers, John, Henry, Fred, Adolph and William; and sisters Anne and Lorene.

Memorials are suggested to Zion West Lutheran Church and the Bennington Fire & Rescue Department.