Mary Lou Penny

Mary Lou Nelson Penny died to this earth and entered Heaven to see her Lord and God in all His glory on January 9,2022.   She was born July 31, 1923 at 1046 Kentucky Street, Lawrence, Kansas to Mary Estelle Nelson and Dr. William Oliver Nelson.  She was the 4th and last child born into the Nelson family.  She attended Quincy, Cordley, and Pinckney grade schools.  Pinckney was where she first encountered her future husband, Junius M. Penny.  Her father, being a physician, led to many family members living with them at different times while her mother nursed them through illness or old age.  Mary Lou loved growing up in Lawrence and spending summers in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.

After graduating from Liberty Memorial High School, she attended KU for two years studying in the first Occupational Therapy program offered.  She and Jun Penny eloped their sophomore year to marry in Hutchinson where her brother, Jim Nelson lived, on February 6, 1943.   It was wartime and Jun (who had enrolled in the Navy Air Corps) was later drafted into the Army because his marriage made him ineligible for the Air Corps.  He was trained as a radiation tech, and Mary Lou followed him to each training site thus ending her college endeavors.  Before deployment, they had a son and she was pregnant with their second child.  When Jun returned from India, he finished his last 2 years at KU earning a degree in civil engineering.  Black & Veatch hired Jun to be resident engineer in Caruthersville, Missouri where the young family moved.  His father, M.N. Penny, recruited him to operate the Penny’s Ready Mixed Concrete business in Emporia which Jun’s brother, Charlie, had started.  By this time, there were 4 little Penny’s with one more to come.  Mary Lou was a wonderful homemaker and partner to Jun.  They were a team, reflecting a love of people and an open, welcoming home.  They never seemed to meet a stranger.  Mary Lou, with rare exception, was available for her children when they came home from school providing time for talking about the day’s activities or their thoughts.

Mary Lou was active as a Sunday school teacher (wondering later what she had taught, not knowing the Lord), in the Women’s Garden Club, and Research Study club as her children got older.  She later served on the boards of the Emporia Public Library and the City Parks and Recreation.  If she learned of neighbors or friends having trouble, whether financial, marital, or emotional, she tried to help.  She took food to those who were ill, and helped several elderly women.  She came to know many of the foreign students (from Ethiopia, India, Greece, Thailand, & Taiwan) attending Emporia State, inviting them into their home for meals and visits.  She and Jun were the unofficial sponsors for a group of Hawaiian students at Emporia State in the late 50’s, and remained in touch with some up until now.  There were many women who were close friends to Mary Lou.  Carmen and Oscar Hernandez, who had escaped Castro’s Cuba losing all they owned except their lives and their son in the 1960’s, became dear friends soon after arriving in Emporia.  Carmen remained close until her death in 2015.  Neither age nor culture proved a barrier in Mary Lou’s friendships and outreach.  Close to becoming empty-nesters, the Pennys embraced two children of friends from Columbia, South America, the Villarreals, to live with them as family: Johnnie stayed for a couple of years through 2 years of college and Leslie at age 11 stayed just a couple of months, but long enough to call Mary Lou “Mi Penny”.  When her children left home, Mary Lou took classes at Emporia State, especially enjoying The Great Plains Semester taught by Jim Hoy and others.

The Pennys attended church as a family each week: Mary Lou and Jun were active on church committees.   However, it was only in the early 1970’s that Mary Lou & Jun accepted Jesus Christ as Savior through a gradual process of realizing His claim on their lives for what He had done personally for them at the cross, that their “good works” could not gain them a place in Heaven nor cancel out their sin.  It was only then that Mary Lou learned to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to really help those in need for whom she had previously felt exhausting compassion.  A trip to Ecuador for Jun to determine the feasibility of establishing a hydroelectric plant in the jungle for Gospel Missionary Union involved knowing missionaries Frank and Marie Drown: it proved life-changing in regard to the Pennys’ understanding of the Christian faith.  At one point, four of the Penny’s children were on different continents, learning the language, holding jobs as engineer, nurse, teacher or short term missionary in order to share Christ’s love.  Mary Lou (and Jun when he could break away from the plant) traveled yearly to encourage them in their endeavors.  Their visits, such as in the Arab world where family & tribe trump individualism, brought a new dimension and respect for the Christian faith their son or daughter sought to live out.

Mary Lou and Jun loved their grandchildren, making time to go see them or have them visit, whether in Emporia, Colorado, or eventually back in Lawrence.  When Jun developed Parkinson’s disease, she took everything in stride taking on his healthcare needs, continuing to be a team and welcoming family and friends at home or by taking them out to eat.  The challenges that came with his declining health and then her own health never caused her to falter.  When the going got tough, she always rose to the occasion, giving thanks to God for His many blessings. She came out each morning with a big smile and “Good morning!  How did you sleep?”  Each night she went to bed perhaps reading a good book on her Kindle, but then always the Bible before sleep.

In her later years, she was encouraged to put that sharp mind to work by writing her memoirs about Colorado and growing up.  Two Colorado friends and the Ute Pass Historical Society have published some of these detailed memoirs.  When she asked, “Where are my yellow pages?” she wasn’t looking for a business telephone book, it was her legal pad with tattered pages of phone numbers for her myriad family and friends.  She eventually entered multiple 100’s of contacts into an excel spreadsheet programmed to be an address book, amazed to see it alphabetize names with one click!  She would settle in a comfortable chair and spend hours calling to stay in touch with family and friends.  If she awoke before midnight in Kansas, it wasn’t surprising to find her on the telephone with family or friend in California or Hawaii.

She never stopped thinking about or praying for others.  She loved to learn or talk about the Bible.  She engaged with what was happening in the world news, including writing letters to the editor.  She was never cowed by political correctness, public opinion, or current socially accepted behavior, but spoke out boldly for what she knew or believed to be right.  This strength and clarity of thought occasionally surprised even her family.  She was a blessing to many, a true friend and mother to many younger people.  Her appetite for knowing and loving people and learning was never satiated.  What a great reunion she is now having in heaven where there is joy unimagined in God’s glorious and loving presence!

She was preceded in death by her parents (Dr. W.O. & Mary Estelle Nelson), her husband (Junius), 1 sister (Margaret Nelson), 2 brothers (Dr. Richard Oldfield Nelson and James Iden Nelson), 2 sons-in-law (Dr. James Urish and Dr. Herbert J. Schmidt), 1 grandson Nathan Penny of Lawrence.  She is survived by 2 Sons, David (Carmiletta) Penny and William (Marlene) Penny of Lawrence, 3 daughters: Anne Urish of Colorado Springs, Deborah (Doug) Hydeman of Lenexa, Susan Schmidt of Lawrence; 21 grandchildren: Junius Penny of Ben Lomond California, Isaac (Xienne) Penny of Los Angeles, Ruth (Michael) Arriaza of Fredericksburg, VA, Michael (Kathleen) Penny of Flower Mound, TX, Elijah (Tiana) Penny of Shawnee, Dr. Kimberly (Dr. Matthew) Swan of Shawnee, Holly (Derek) Teeter of Shawnee, Joshua (Heidi) Hydeman of Shawnee,  Noah Hydeman of Lenexa, Micah (Whitney) Hydeman of Kansas City, Kansas, Luke (Brooke) Urish of Escondido, CA, Mimi (Kevin) Burch of Indianapolis, Dr. Abbie (Dr. Kenneth) Sutton of Colorado Springs, Laura (Bryan) Hedges of Lawrence, Sarah (Wyatt) Smith of Dallas, Jon (Kim) Penny of Durango, Dr. Scott (Sarah) Penny of Durango, CO; 3 step-grandchildren: Herb Schmidt of The Villages, Danna Markoff of Raleigh, Scott Schmidt of Joplin,  43 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and many family & friends who loved her.  She will be greatly missed, but all of us who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior know we shall see her again in Heaven!  This is just a temporary separation.  We do not grieve as “those who have no hope.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Bible Fellowship, 505 Monterey Way, Lawrence, KS 66049 or Avant Ministries (please designate on memo for “Shuar Bible translation & studies”), 10000 N. Oak Trfy, Kansas City, MO 64155 or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

There will be a visitation with family at Warren-McElwain Mortuary on Friday, January 14th from 5 to 7 PM including a sharing time, a luncheon at Lawrence Bible Fellowship at noon Saturday, January 15th followed by the funeral service at 2 PM with graveside burial to follow.

20 Condolences

  1. Silva Joseph on January 11, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.



  2. Donna Mechtley Plummer on January 12, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Bill and Marlene, so sorry for your loss. It’s never easy. She sounds like a wonderful mother. I know my Dad thought a lot of your Dad.



  3. Debbie and Harry Jason and Chris Shafer on January 12, 2022 at 12:40 pm

    Bill and Marlene
    Harry Myself and Jason and Chris were saddened to hear about you mother passing. I know she will be greatly missed. She sounded like she was a grand lady. Your family will be in our prayers. May God Bless



  4. Michael Forrester on January 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    I am sorry for your loss.



  5. Jeff & Sharon Gwinn on January 12, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    David, William & Susan and wonderful family, we are all very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. Thankfully we rejoice that her great hope in our Lord has now been realized. What an incredible example of love for our Lord she was!

    We love you all!

    Jeff & Sharon Gwinn for all for the saints at Highland Bible Church in Woodland Park, CO



  6. Bruce A Carter on January 13, 2022 at 7:24 am

    Hydeman Family,

    Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Dr. Bruce A. Carter



  7. Joyce French on January 13, 2022 at 8:09 am

    No one had a more wonderful smile than Mrs Penny.
    Her soft sweet voice and laughter were comforting in themselves.
    and always seemed so directed at me and made me feel welcome and special.
    Sorry to hear of this great loss.
    she will be missed.



  8. Sheryl Henry on January 13, 2022 at 10:32 am

    We are thinking of you, with love, all during this time of loss.



  9. Jeanne and Bill Hatcher on January 13, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    Oh my, what wonderful memories I have of Mary Lou! Several Bible studies together, but the most precious was when she and Imogene Morris and myself studied together for a couple of years-just the three of us; sharing and praying for our heart aches and victorious! May God be near and dear during this time of grieving and celebrating her life dear “Penny family”!
    Jeanne Hatcher



  10. John and Jeannie Jenkins on January 13, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    Debby and Doug,
    Thinking of you and the Penny Family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.



  11. Polly Sauder on January 13, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    My heart is filled with the many wonderful memories that I have of our friendship as neighbors in Emporia. My love to David, Anne, Susan, Bill and Debbie. Your mother was a very special lady and dear friend! Polly Sauder



  12. Debby Brammer on January 14, 2022 at 10:06 am

    Susan, I was very sorry to hear of your Mother’s death. I only met her once, when she took me and some other (then) young women to tea. When I saw the word “elegant” in the obituary I was sure that must be your Mother. My condolences to you and your family.



  13. Teresa Rinker on January 14, 2022 at 10:37 am

    Bill and Marlene:
    Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Penny Family.
    Remembering our younger years. Your Mother’s smile and positive attitude was always there for everyone she met.
    The memories she gave to each person she encountered will live with them forever. Terry and Teresa Rinker



  14. Katherine Crowley on January 14, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    Mary Lou (Nonny) was such a special lady. She sure had the gift of making you feel like the most interesting and important person in the room. She sure loved her family dearly and I know she has left you all with such great lessons and memories.
    My thoughts and prayers are with the Penny and Urish families.



  15. Shift Commander Bryan Hendin on January 15, 2022 at 8:51 am

    We are sorry for your loss. The KCKFD First Shift is thinking of your family and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember Mary Lou who was so close to your family.



  16. Karen Hopper Carns on January 15, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    I always thought of the Penny family as an “All-American” family! I am so sorry for your loss. “Classy” is the word that comes to mind when I think of her. Our parents were friends and you, like us, were so lucky to have our parents for so many years. What wonderful role models they were! Think of all the joy your family has spread throughout this world and I hope it brings you comfort. Actually, whenever I see a big cement truck (especially it it’s red), I think of all of you and thank you for your friendliness and compassion for others.
    Karen Hopper Carns



  17. Dustin Burr on January 15, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    Dave, I’m sorry to learn of your mom’s passing, but glad to know she’s in paradise forever. She brightened our lives and many others. Her obituary was a great and thorough testament to a life well lived. May God bless and comfort you and all who cared for her.



  18. Kerry Book Williams on January 28, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    My name is Kerry Book Williams, My Dad had the Texaco station in Woodland Park in the 70s. My Dad passed away in 2015 and Mom in 2016. I loved my parents so very much. My Mother knew no strangers and always comforted those that needed it. I have driven by the red house on the hill in Green Mountain Falls many times, going to clean vacation rentles, and Mary Lou would smile and wave like I had known her my whole life. I kept telling myself to stop, and finally I did, and am so glad I did. I only got that one opportunity to meet her, but she absolutely helped me with missing my Mother as she radiated the same warmth and Love. I wish there were more people out there like Mary Lou and my Mother, they make you feel less alone and that you could just run up and hug them. I will not forget meeting this dear woman, I believe she was sent to me by God to help me heal.



  19. Jane and Joseph Wilson, Philadelphia, PA on February 4, 2022 at 9:51 pm

    To Mary Lou’s family, our condolences on your mother’s passing. Mary Lou and Junie were life-long friends of my mother, Polly Rankin Reed, and then my Dad, Jim Reed. I was very fortunate to have your sweet mom and dad in my life from time to time when I came home to Lawrence to visit. I remember some lovely meals out with your parents, listening to stories of their many trips. And after both of my parents were gone, Mary Lou called me a few times just to see how I was. What a wonderful person she was. The world will miss her, and your Dad, too, but it is a better place because they were here. With love, Jane Reed Wilson



  20. Ken & Trish Thompson for the Gibbs & Campbell families of Green Mountain Falls on May 30, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    We are saddened to hear that Mary Lou is no longer with us in body, but we feel so blessed to have gotten to know her over many decades as our GMF neighbor.
    We wish your family peace and comfort.



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