Zora Daisy (Huisman) Penning

Zora (Zoe) was born to Teunis and Opal Huisman on August 4, 1933 in Sheldon, Iowa. At the age of 16, Zoe met and soon married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Penning. Bob joined the U.S. Air Force and their first assignment was to Offutt AFB in Nebraska. Their family grew as Carol and Roberta were born during this first assignment. Then, pregnant with Greg, this small town Iowa girl took her toddlers on her very first airplane flight across the Atlantic to their new assignment in Germany. While in Germany, Greg, Linda and Mary were born. Zoe was assisted by our beloved nanny, Elsie Hildman. Later, the family headed to Panama, CZ. Upon Bob's retirement from the Air Force, they chose to buy a home and settle in Papillion, NE. Bob and Zoe reunited with AF friends, Jerry and Carman Tilford, owners of Tilford Printing and Card Shop in Papillion. For 35 years she worked in the Hallmark Card portion of the shop and assisted with proofreading and collating print jobs. Eventually, Bob and Zoe retired and enjoyed many years gardening and hosting backyard BBQs. After Bob's death in 2005, Zoe's days included exercising on her stationary bicycle, praying the rosary, spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, and providing her family with meals with her much loved recipes for potato salad, chocolate sheet cake, spaghetti sauce and Christmas cookies.

Zora is survived by children, Carol Penning, Roberta (Terry) Megel, Greg (Denise) Penning, Linda (Mark) Conger, and Mary (Tom) Gasaway, grandchildren Nick (Brigid) Gastino, Jacob (Rebecca) Conger, Nathan Gasaway, Kyle (Catherine) Conger, Elizabeth Gasaway, Aleissa (James) Olson, and Ariel Penning. She is also survived by her brothers James (Hannelore) Huisman and Kenneth Huisman, and sister Connie (Bob) Adams. Zora is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Cabrini and Lucca Gastino, Caleb and Zora Conger, Wallace, Finley, Maeve and Madeleine Conger, and James Olson, Jr.

Zora is preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents Teunis and Opal, her siblings Marvin Huisman, Donald Huisman, Beatrice Carvour, and Rhoda McNab.

Even though she was petite in stature, she leaves behind a huge, kind and memorable imprint on the people she met. She was very easy to talk to and had impressive listening skills. Zoe will be lovingly remembered by all as a sweet and caring lady.

Visitation will be Monday, November 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, 441 N Washington St, Papillion, Nebraska 68046.

A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 200 E. Sixth Street, Papillion, Nebraska 68046. Followed by burial at Cedar Dale Cemetery, 78th & Cedar Dale Road, Papillion, Nebraska 68046.

Contributions in Zora's memory may be made to St. Columbkille Catholic Church.