Joanne Leah (Daas) Penner was born on the Fourth of July, 1935, in O’Neill, NE. She was raised in the sand hills town of Chambers, NE, where her parents – Joseph and Leah Daas – ran a general store. Her father came to the United States from Lebanon when he was 17. Thankfully, he brought his Lebanese genes with him.

In high school, Joanne was active in band, chorus, volleyball, and softball. The first summer after high school, she attended Wayne State Teachers College which qualified her to teach in a county school near Chambers. The following summer she attended the University of Nebraska. It was at a dance at the girls’ dorm, where she met Herb Penner, her husband to be for nearly 66 years.

She enjoyed playing tennis, golf, bridge, bowling, and camping in our R.V. all over the U.S. and Canada – especially New England in the fall.

She loved our dogs, Madame Calhoun, Mini, and Coco.

Jo and Herb raised a daughter, Kim, and two sons, Jon and Kurt.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents: Leah & Joseph Daas; sister: Judean Daas; loving pet: Mini; She was survived by her husband of 65 years: Herb Penner; children: Kim (Don) Osborne, Jon (Shelly) Penner, Kurt Penner; grandchildren: Leah (Brian) Burhoop, Janae (Scott) Friis, Sam Penner; great-grandchild: Aurora Friis; And a host of other loving family and friends.

Memorials to Chambers, Nebraska Volunteer Fire Dept. or charity of choice.