Penning, Ted 1958-2024

PENNING, VOSBURG, SHEPHERD, SHAFER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/6/2024 at 14:42:26

Ted Penning, age 65, of Alton, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the Orange City Area Health System.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, February 7, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. There will be a memorial service on Thursday, February 8, at 11:00am, at the Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City with the Rev. Jeffrey Keady officiating.

Ted was born on August 10, 1958, in Le Mars, one of seven children born to Edwin “Bud” and Nancy (Vosburg) Penning. He grew up on a farm near Granville and graduated from the Spalding Catholic High School in Granville in 1977.

While at a stop sign, he saw a young woman, Amanda Shepherd, behind the wheel of a twin to his yellow Mustang. Shortly after, they started dating, and on November 27, 1981, they were united in marriage in Hawarden. They briefly made their home in Alton before moving to Granville for several years. In 1990, they returned to Alton, where they continued to raise their two boys, Matt and Chris. Ted worked as a welder and shop foreman at Silent Drive by Dexter in Orange City, retiring in 2023.

Ted was known to his family and friends as the ultimate handyman. He could fix just about anything, including the yellow mustang he and Amanda bought together on their fifteenth anniversary. He also volunteered as a video recorder for the Sioux Center Warriors football games, coached by his son, Chris. In his free time, Ted enjoyed riding his Harley with a local group of motorcyclists. He also liked to go fishing and was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears. After the death of his father and sister at a young age, Ted realized the importance of making sure those close to him knew that he loved them, and his easy going and welcoming nature allowed him to make countless friendships throughout his life.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of more than 42 years, Amanda, of Alton; two sons and their wives, Matthew and Lisa Penning, of Brookings, South Dakota; and Christopher and Kayla Penning, of Sioux Center; three grandchildren, Benaiah Penning, Payton Degroot, and Pryia Degroot; three sisters, Denise, and her husband, Bob Ellis, of Cork County, Ireland; Blanche Ludwig, of New Virginia; and Janelle, and her husband, David Hibbing, of Paullina; two brothers, Gene Penning, and his wife, Olgui, of Venice, Florida; and David Penning, and his wife, Tanya, of Alpine, Wyoming; two sisters-in-law, Bev Sherman, of Robbins; and Mary Shepherd, of Kalona; a brother-in-law and his wife, Dan Shepherd and Susan Skogman, of Hawarden; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and stepfather, Wallace Shafer, and his wife’s parents, Bill and Ethlyn Shepherd, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Penning; a sister, Debra Frederes; and two brothers-in-law, Ron Ludwig and Sam Shepherd.

Memorials will be given to the family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.