Juanita Penwell

Juanita (Maring) Penwell

October 12, 1932 ~ February 6, 2022

Juanita E. (Maring) Penwell, loving wife, mother and grandmother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at age 89, with family by her side. Juanita grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa and was active in church where she played the piano and enjoyed singing in the choir.  She graduated from Greenville College in Greenville, IL and it was there she met and married her husband of 62 years, James Penwell. Juanita and Jim settled in Decatur, IL where they were members of the Decatur Free Methodist Church. Juanita was the church organist, involved in Women’s Missionary Society and taught many children’s programs and VBS throughout the years. Juanita was an Elementary School teacher and taught both 3rd grade and Kindergarten within the Decatur school district.  Besides music and being a voracious reader, she was very artistic and enjoyed oil painting, reverse glass painting, knitting, crocheting, paper quilling and macrame.  In 1989, Juanita & Jim retired to Leesburg, Florida where they lived for almost 30 years. They attended First Baptist Church. Juanita had a deep love for dogs of any kind and they had many beloved companions over the years.  After her husband’s passing, Juanita moved to Oakdale, MN to be close to family. She will be deeply missed by many.

She is preceded in death by: her parents Howard and Grace Maring; husband James Penwell; brothers-in-laws Marvin Penwell and Robert Penwell.  She is survived by her children Joni (Jonathan) Wetmore of Woodbury, MN and Scott Penwell of Decatur, IL; Grandson Austin Wetmore of Woodbury, MN; sister-in-law Gloria (Penwell) Erickson of Sutton’s Bay, MI and brother-in-law/sister-in-law David and Faith Penwell of Decatur, IL as well as several nieces and nephews.

Farewell to her friends and staff at Echo Ridge Presbyterian Home in Oakdale, MN where Juanita enjoyed living the last 5 years after making Minnesota home.  Special thanks to her Optage Hospice team for their wonderful care.

A family memorial service will be held in Decatur, IL and she will be laid to rest alongside her husband at HillCrest Memorial Gardens, Leesburg, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: American Bible Society ~ americanbible.org  P.O. Box 96812, Washington D.C. 20090 or New Life Family Services ~ nlfs.org  1515 East 66th St, Richfield, MN 55423.