Andrew Penning

Andrew Penning, 90 years old, of Granville, Iowa died peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday March 7,2012.           Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10,2012at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Granville with Rev. Richard Ball officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetary in Granville with graveside military services. Visitation will be anytime after 4 p.m. on Friday, March 9,2012. There will be a parish rosary at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Litany Of The Saints led by the Knights of Columbus, and a vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Granville. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home and Monument in Remsen. Condolences may be sent online to www.fischfh.com.           Andrew was born September 29,1921, on the Penning family farm, the son of Gregor and Mary Reith Penning. He lived his whole life, except for his years in the service, on the family farm. He was very proud to accept The Century Farm Award at the 2010 State Fair. He served in the 40th Engineers in Africa and Europe during World War II from 1942-45. He was very happy to go on a family "Honor Flight" to the World War II Memorial in 2009.          On June 9,1947, he married Vitalena Thommes at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, Iowa. Together they raised 10 children. He retired from farming in 1984, but stayed active helping Bill and Greg wherever he could for many years. He loved keeping busy mowing with his favorite lawn mower. He also loved to play cards, do jigsaw puzzles and read westerns. Vitty passed away February 12, 2011, after 63 years together.          Andrew was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Knight of Columbus, V.F.W. Post 5347 of Granville.          Survivors include Bill and Nancy Penning of Granville, Steve Penning and Steve Cole of Ajijic, Mexico, Randy and Laurie Penning of Minnetonka, MN, Mary and John Leonard of Le Mars, IA, Paul and Carole Penning of Houston, TX, Cindy and Dave Kinney of Sioux City, IA, Joe and Terri Penning of Austin, TX, Shelly and Don Kohoutek of Sioux Falls SD, Greg and Gina Penning of Granville, IA, Jeanne and Jim VonArb of Huxley, IA; 17 grandchildren, 2 step- grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; one sister Angeline Goebel of Worthington, MN; sisters and brother-in-law Katherine and Cletus Dreckman of LeMars, IA, Joan Thommes of Omaha, NE, and Dorothy Tillotson of Indiana.          Preceded in death by his wife Vitty, one son-in-law Jerry Anderson, brothers and sisters and spouses Lawrence and Annie Penning, Nic and Liz Penning, Vincent and Florentine Penning, Ed and Ann Penning, Raymond Penning, Emma and Joe Sauer, Cora and Joe Schlichte, Florence and Mike Block, Leo and Anna Marie Penning, Caroline and Joe Klein, Mercedes and Al Beckmann, and Margaret Penning. Brothers and sisters-in-law Odilo Goebel, Magnus and Leona Goebel, Bill Thommes and Don Tillotson.          Casket bearers will be his 6 sons: Bill, Steve, Randy, Paul, Joe and Greg Penning.