Clifton "Cliff" A. Penning

Rock Rapids, Iowa Clifton Cliff A. Penning, age 84 of Rock Rapids, IA died on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, April 8th at the Christian Church (Disciples) in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Carolyn Salberg officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids, with full military honors. Visitation will be Sunday, April 7th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Clifton Cliff A. Penning was born March 2, 1929 at Austinville, Iowa, the son of Andrew J. and Pearl (Hoppe) Penning. He was raised on farm near Austinville and at age 7, his family moved to a farm southeast of Rock Rapids, IA. He attended country school and helped his father with the farm. He graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1947. In 1952 Cliff entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1953 with the rank of Corporal. On January 15, 1954, Cliff was united in marriage to Luella Harsma at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They made their home on the farm where Cliff grew up on. Cliff farmed for all of his life until his health began to decline last Fall. He was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples) in Rock Rapids, serving as Deacon and Elder. He was a member to the Rex Strait Post No. 103 American Legion, serving as Post Commander. He served and volunteered with several organizations in the area, such as the Lyon County Fair Board and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed attending farm sales, playing cards, calling BINGO on Thursday nights, and telling stories over a cup of tea with family and friends. On November 17, 2012, Cliff entered Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids, where he remained until his death this past Thursday, April 4, 2013. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Luella Penning of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Douglas (Jolene) Penning of Beaver Creek, MN, Audrey (Rod) Kracht of Rock Rapids, IA and Julia Marra Hull, IA; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie (Joe) Fairley of Ft. Edward, NY; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Pearl Penning; and son-in-law, Mark Marra.