Harvey Penning

Hastings resident, Harvey L. Penning, 89, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017, at College View Assisted Living & Memory Support, Hastings, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be Monday, November 6, 2017; 10:30 A.M. at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Harvey was born May 11, 1928, in Clay County, Nebraska to John & Gertie (Harms) Penning. He graduated from Glenvil Schools in 1945. On June 26, 1949, he married Norma J. Fitzke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil. He played football and basketball for Hastings College and in 1957 graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education. He later obtained his Master's Degree in administration from the University of Nebraska Lincoln at Kearney and his Specialist's Degree in administration from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln.

His first teaching experience was the fifth-grade class in Cozad. He moved to Sutherland where he was the elementary principal, coach, and eighth-grade teacher. In 1956, he accepted the superintendent's position in Glenvil, which included coaching the basketball team. In 1960, he became the superintendent of Doniphan Public Schools and in 1971 he accepted the principal's position at Morton Elementary in Hastings. He also served as principal at Watson Elementary and District #15. He retired from the Hastings Public School system in 1988 and the next ten years he worked for ESU #9. He served as a president of the Clay County Teachers' Association and was a member of the Hall County Teachers' Association. He was also a member of the Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators. Over the years, he was involved with numerous organizations associated with school administrator activities. Harvey was known for his kindness and his commitment to helping all students he worked with to achieve their full potential and reach their goals.

He was a former member of the Lions Club and assisted in starting the first Lions Club in Doniphan. He was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, serving nine years on the church council, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the Middle Mixers. He was a Sunday school teacher in almost every community he lived in. He traveled to many countries in Europe and to the Panama Canal. To celebrate 35 years of marriage, he and Norma spent six weeks touring South Africa. He spent many hours volunteering at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, the Hastings Museum and enjoyed dancing with the La Danza Dance Group. He spent 24 winters in Mesa, Arizona with Norma where he enjoyed softball, golf, and playing cards. He was a loving, generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and dedicated educator.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ida Penning; two brothers, Ervin and Raymond Penning; and a sister-in-law, Sue Penning.

SURVIVORS:
Wife of 68 years:
Norma J. Penning - Hastings, NE
Daughters & Son-in-law:
Janie Penning & fiancé Larry Bolles - Grand Island, NE
Connie & David Eldred - Plano, TX
Grandchildren:
Lee & Julie Schuppan - Grand Island, NE
Amber Gerdes - Doniphan, NE
Alicia & Dr. Sean McCarther - Ewing, NJ
Ashlee Moore - Plano, TX
Step-Grandchild & Spouse:
Chris & Nicole Eldred - Omaha, NE
Great-Grandchildren:
Braden Schuppan
Caleb Schuppan
Dylan Hassett
Ian McCarther
Lily McCarther
Jack Moore
Step-Great-Grandchildren:
Keely Eldred
Allison Eldred
Zach Schmitt