Georgia M. Penno

Georgia Penno lived her life devoted to her God and to her family. Her life was complete, just as in Timothy 2:6-8, which states, "For I am now ready to be offered and the time for departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." The Roaring Twenties was a great time to enter the world. It was a new era, filled with dancing, baseball, and the great and daring escapes of Harry Houdini. It was also a new chapter in the lives of Helen and George, of Hancock, Missouri. Helen, who had children from a previous marriage, and George, were thrilled to welcome Georgia into the family on September 10, 1921. Georgia played and laughed through her childhood, sharing many memories with her stepbrother, Gerald and four step sisters, Lela, Mary, Agnes and Opal. Her father was a carpenter who built homes and when Georgia was six, the family moved from Hancock to St. Louis. Business was good for George until 1929 when the Great Depression killed the economy. George lost two of his three homes he was building and moved the family into the third. Throughout the hard times, Georgia learned to lean on her faith in God. At age thirteen, she was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She grew in her faith all throughout her adolescent years and in 1938 she graduated from Manchester High School. While singing in the church choir, Georgia was introduced to Paul Penno by a mutual friend. The young couple gradually began dating, roller skating, going to the ice cream parlor, taking walks at Forest Park and going for romantic country drives. Georgia was only seventeen when they began dating and when she was nineteen, Paul asked for her hand in marriage. Although her father was reluctant to give his approval, Georgia wholeheartedly accepted Paul's proposal. They joyfully wed on January 11, 1941 at the St. Louis Central Adventist Church. For a short time they lived with Georgia's parents and rented an adorable apartment near the beautiful city park. Paul worked at a fan company earning 25 cents and hour and Georgia, being skilled at short hand, found work as a secretary. They soon had enough money to buy a 1939 Ford for a total of $500.00. World War II began in 1939 which led to many American men to be drafted into the service. Paul was drafted in 1942 to serve in the army in a medical detachment. He was sent to France just 90 days after D-day. It was a scarey time and Georgia moved back in with her parents and faithfully prayed for her husband's safe arrival. In 1945, her prayers were answered when Paul safely returned home. They rejoiced at being reunited and soon went about building a future for themselves. Paul went to school and Georgia continued working. Later, they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where their son Paul Eugene Jr was born on August 2, 1948. Four years later, they welcomed David Bruce into the family on May 18, 1952. Their family was complete. Paul became a minister and Georgia devoted herself to being a homemaker. The first church Paul pastored was in Burlington, Iowa. Over the course of his ministry, the family relocated to thirteen different places where God called Paul to pastor. Georgia, being such a hard worker, continued finding work as a secretary, but she also made it a priority to be a mother and faithful pastor's wife. She could juggle a million tasks because of how competent and well-organized she was. For twenty-seven years, she dependably worked for Holland Motor Express before retiring in 1995. Georgia and Paul always found a way to make time for family vacations. Georgia loved to travel, cook, listen to music, be involved with the church and spent time with family. Together, they often went camping, boating, waterskiing, sight seeing, and visited extended family. Georgia especially enjoyed being by the water. She was purposeful in creating beautiful and lasting family memories. Her commitment to raising her boys in a solid Christian home was evident in how she lived and her boys knew what a Godly and spiritual woman their mother was. Georgia's father passed away in 1959 and when her mother was sick, she took great care of her. Both Georgia and Paul selflessly cared for Helen during her final months of life. Helen passed away in 1970, just one year before Georgia and Paul bought their first home. Georgia slipped away on Monday, June 5, 2006 at 5:45 a.m. She is resting in Jesus until the resurrection. Georgia was a loving wife, devoted and caring mother, beloved grandmother and friend to many. She will be sadly missed and gladly remembered. Mrs. Georgia Mae Penno, age 84, died Monday, June 5, 2006. Her family includes her husband, Paul; 2 sons, Paul Jr. (Candice) Penno of CA & Bruce (Maria) Penno of Spring Lake; 3 grandchildren, April, Jade & Natalia; very close friend, Patsy (Dr. Jerry) Wheaton of CA; several nieces & nephews. Service will be Friday, June 9, 2006, 1:00 p.m. at Clock Chapel with Pastor Tony Rodriquez officiating. Interment at Lakeshore Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m. & 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. at Clock Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Seventh Day Adventist Church of Grand Haven or Hospice of North Ottawa. Please visit Georgia's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story and sign the guest book.