Penningroth, Beatrice

Beatrice Penningroth, 101, of Clarence, died Saturday, July 10, 2010, in the Clarence Nursing Home. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, St. John's United Church of Christ, Clarence, with the Rev. David Lorenzen officiating. Burial: St. John's Church Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Chapman Funeral Home, Clarence, is handling arrangements.

Survivors include three nieces, Barbara Ahrendsen of Clarence, Andrea (Duane) Maher of Oregon, and Romona (Jim) Nelson of California; two nephews, Douglas Johnson and friend Susan of Naperville, Ill., and Richard Penningroth and friend Judie of Cedar Rapids; and very special friends, Kenneth, Marcia and Derrick Richmann of Clarence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Grover; sister, Veneta and (Harry) Hansen; brother-in-law, Ralph and (Alice) Penningroth, a sister-in-law, Iola (Dale) Johnson; and two nephews, Erwin Ahrendsen and Charles Penningroth.

Bea, as she was known to many, was born May 30, 1909, on a farm southwest of Clarence, to Frank and Amelia Weih Albert. She married Grover Penningroth on June 6, 1929, in St. John's United Church of Christ parsonage in Clarence. She graduated from Clarence High School and attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids. She was a lifelong member of St. John's Church and served in many capacities in the church for many years. She was president of the Literary Club and in 1940 was Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star.