Penning, Domnick, 1881-1939

PENNING, VANBERGEN, SCHULTZ

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/20/2021 at 20:14:33

From the Alton Democrat, October 6, 1939:

Funeral At Hospers for Dom. Penning

The people of Granville and vicinity were shocked and grieved Monday morning to learn of the death of Domnick Penning, 58, a life-long resident of Sioux County and a prominent farmer of this vicinity.

Funeral services were conducted from St. Anthony’s church in Hospers Thursday morning at 9:30 with Rev. John Thoennissen officiating. Rev. J. A. Gerlemann and Rev. Harold Karhoff (a cousin) were deacon and sub-deacon and Rev. Peter Stoll of Tecony, Ill., acted as master of ceremonies. Interment was made in St. Jospeh’s cemetery at Granville in the family lot.

Domnick Penning, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nick Penning, was born March 1, 1881 on a farm southeast of Hospers, known as the Reuter place. When a year old he moved with his parents to the farm known as the Penning homestead, where he spent the rest of his life. Here he grew to manhood and learned the art of successful agriculture and of good citizenship. He was united in marriage with Petronella Van Bergen of Granville on Jan 22, 1918. To this union four children were born: Julius, Adrian, Lucille and Luella, all at home.

Mr. Penning had been in poor health for more than ten years, during which time he bore his suffering with patience and high courage. Devoted care of thoughtful loved ones and the best medical science proved futile in counteracting his illness and death came quietly Sunday evening at eleven o’clock in the Mercy hospital, Des Moines, where he underwent a major operation on Wednesday.

He was of a cheerful, kindly disposition, a friend in need, but the good he did was always without desire of display or reward. He leaves to mourn his death besides his wife and four children two brothers, Gregor and John of Granville; three sisters, Mrs. John Hoffman (Mary) of Bridgewater , S. D. ; Mrs. Peter Frank (Catherine), Caledonia, Minn.; and Mrs. J. H. Heinricy (Kate) of Dell Rapids, S.D. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Henry Moes (Lizzie) of Dell Rapids and Mrs. Fred Gerst (Susan) of Alton, and an aged invalid uncle, Mike Schutz, who made his home with Mr. Penning until his death six years ago.

Pallbearers were nephews and included Ed Hoffmann, Bridgewater, S.D.; Henry Heinricy, Dell Rapids, S.D.; Julius Schwarz, Sheldon; Raymond Penning, Wilmont, Minn.; Harold Van Bergen and Leo Penning of Granville.

Mr. Penning was a devout member of St. Anthony’s church in Hospers and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He served three terms as trustee in Floyd township.

[Followed by a long list of relatives and friends who came from a distance for the funeral.]

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His death certificate (informant Julius Penning) adds his parents, Nicholas Penning and Margaret Schultz, both born in Germany; occupation farmer, for 37 years, last worked at this occupation in March 1934; died at 11 p.m. September 24, 1939; cause, intestinal obstruction; contributory cause, carcinoid tumor of large bowel; an exploratory operation was performed on 9/21/39.