Avis Peninger

Avis E. Peninger, the daughter of Carl Levi and Emma Pearl (Tourte) Hocke, was born April 2, 1916 on her grandparent Tourte’s farm home near Paton and departed this life April 29, at the Westhaven Community Care Center in Boone. She was the oldest of four siblings, having three sisters and one brother. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a housewife. She lived a full life to the age of 99 years and 27 days.

Avis lived her early years in Kennedy, Minnesota where she started school. The family then moved to the Hocke farm near Paton. One of Avis’ favorite memories growing up was getting together with her extended family. Her mother was one of ten children that all lived around the Paton area. For the holidays, each of the families would take a turn hosting the celebration. Avis went to school in Paton until she was in the 8th grade. As many young girls of her era, instead of going on to high school, Avis worked in various homes helping with housework and caring for the family’s children. A couple for which Avis was working moved to Arizona for health reasons and Avis moved with them. While in Arizona, she worked five years at a dry cleaners and later moved to Jefferson where she worked at Elite Cleaners.

Avis met her husband through working with one of his relatives at the cleaners. On April 22, 1956, Avis Hocke was united in marriage to James Earl Peninger at the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church at Paton. They made their home on a farm near Grand Junction. One son, Jim, was born to this union and he and his wife, Mary, currently live on the family farm. Avis loved the farm and tending her yard, flowers and garden. When Earl’s health failed, Avis moved to Jefferson in 2001 to be near him during his last months at the nursing home. Earl passed away in 2001.

Avis was a member of the Jefferson First United Methodist Church. During her life, Avis enjoyed her desserts and sweets, sewing, crocheting and quilting in her early years, doing work puzzles, collecting stamps since the 1950s and putting together scrapbooks of pictures and newspaper clippings. Avis loved cats and had many different cat figurines and stuffed animals.

She is survived by her son, Jim and his wife, Mary, one niece, three nephews, four step-grandchildren; Mae Smith of Warrenville, S.C., Scott Curtis of Fort Dodge, and Sandra Blackmon and Chris Curtis, both of Colorado Springs, Colo. nine step-great-grandchildren, two step-great-great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Marion Hocke of Jefferson. Those who preceded her in death were her parents, husband, a brother, John Hocke and three sisters, Lois Wright, Vera Hocke and Lola Hocke.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. May 4, at the Brown Funeral Home in Jefferson, with Pastor Julie Poulson officiating. Burial was made in the Grand Junction City Cemetery in Grand Junction. Taped musical selections, “On Day at a Time” and “How Great Thou Art” were played at the service.

Serving as casket bearers were David Hocke, Steve Wright, Stan Tow, David Tow, Scott Curtis and Rodney Blackmon.  

Friends and family are invited to a time of lunch and fellowship at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson following the graveside service.

Brown Funeral Home.

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161