Peny Lila Benson, 79
A very beloved and beautiful spirit, Peny Lila Benson, 79, of Smelterville, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on November 26, 2017 at Mountain Valley Cascadia of Kellogg. She was born December 12, 1937 at the Wardner Hospital of Kellogg; Peny was the daughter of Frank and Lila (Ryckman) Prendergast.
Peny has lived in the Silver Valley all of her life. She attended and graduated from the Kellogg High School in 1956. Peny then attended the University of Idaho and later Kinman Business College of Spokane studying secretarial and bookkeeping.
Peny married Wayne J. Benson on July 3, 1962 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Wayne passed away on May 4, 2016.
In Peny’s earlier years, she had worked at the Rena Theatre of Kellogg as a cashier/candy clerk and then at Densow’s Drug of Kellogg. After attending college, Peny worked as a bookkeeper at J.A. Hogle Stock Company, Merrill Lynch, Mitchum Jones & Templeton; and lastly as a head bookkeeper for Pennaluna Company for thirty years, before her retirement. After retirement, she worked for Silver Mountain in ticket sales for ten years and then Telesystems for two years.
Peny was a member of the American Lutheran Church of Kellogg. She loved and enjoyed her family, her beloved dog Joey, camping, taking drives and fishing with Wayne, having fun at Silverwood Theme Park with her granddaughter Tiffany and attending luncheons with her dear friends and high school classmates. Peny also was an avid Gonzaga fan and absolutely loved greeting and talking with people. She was also like a dear mother to her niece Dawn Frank.
Peny is survived by two sons Tom and Vicky Benson of Smelterville; Eric and Andrea Benson of Spokane Valley, Washington; five grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; one sister Joan Head of Kellogg; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; several cousins including Gail and Ron Young of Kingston and Rich and Rosie Edwards of Elizabeth Park-Kellogg. Peny was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Wayne.
A Celebration of Peny’s Life will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., at the Kellogg Elks with Pastor Ken Bartle presiding. A reception will be held after the celebration.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff and residents of Mountain Valley Cascadia for their love and care that was shown to Peny.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Kellogg Public Library, 16 W. Market Street, Kellogg, Idaho 83837 or to Shoshone Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 884, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.
One may sign Peny’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com
SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with cremation and service arrangements.