Lillian Penn

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Lillian Penn (née Koehlmoos) at her home on December 6, 2025. Born July 21, 1929, in Nebraska, Lil was the youngest of ten children raised on her family’s farm.

Lil and her late husband, Leo, moved often with their family for his career at JCPenney. In 1969, they arrived in Nevada — “the Redbud City”— and found the community they would choose as their forever home.

She devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker. She maintained a spotless, well-organized home well into her nineties, delighted family and friends with her famous lemon meringue pies, and brightened every day with her infectious laugh. She loved playing cards, was simply unbeatable at Checkers, and found joy in gardening, checking her rain gauge, and watching the birds and squirrels at her feeders. She held a lifelong fondness for young farm animals, a love rooted in her rural upbringing.

Her favorite pleasures included vintage crooner songs, ice cream in every flavor, and watching The Golden Girls. For 14 years, she worked at Nevada City Hospital’s Home Health Unit, lovingly caring for “my little people.” She was also a fan of Nevada Tigers baseball and softball, often rearranging her schedule to catch games on KNEM.

Lil’s life was marked by courage, resilience, and unwavering faith. Raised Lutheran, she became a Catholic upon marrying Leo and remained a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, singing in the choir and serving in its Altar Society for decades. She will be remembered as a sweet, good-natured woman who loved unconditionally and whose spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Without a doubt, when the roll is called up yonder, she’ll be there.

Grateful for her life, her light, and her smile are her children: Patrick (Denice) Penn, Michael (Barbara Ann) Penn, Kathleen (James) Quinn, Stephan (Barbara) Penn, William (Mary Ann) Penn, and daughter-in-law, Becky Penn. She is also lovingly remembered by her 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Meg Neuses, and many nieces and nephews. Lil was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Leo; her beloved son, Timothy; her parents; and all nine of her siblings.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the residents and staff of The Bungalows of Nevada, as well as the St. Mary’s Church community, for their countless kindnesses and acts of goodwill. She treasured each of you.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 330 N. Main Nevada, MO at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Nevada, MO.

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com