Obituary - Lois A. "Penny" Whitaker

Lois A. "Penny" Whitaker, 78, formerly of Havre, passed away on May 8, 2019, at her daughter's home in Billings after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Penny was born in Halstad, MN, on Feb. 12, 1941, to Fred and Olga H. Bennett. In 1956, she married Art Whitaker of Havre, who preceded her in death in 2012. They were married 36 years, and from their union they had six children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Penny worked on the pediatrics floor at NMH and the Holiday House restaurant in Havre. In 1998 she relocated to Billings, MT, where she lived until her death. She worked at various restaurants and retail stores in Billings, where she was always well-liked by her employers, co-workers and customers. She made many long-lasting, worldwide, friendships throughout her decades of employment, some as far away as Germany, France, Sweden and the UK.

She retired in 2013, and enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips to Sweden, France, Denmark and the UK. She loved books and was an avid reader, enjoyed genealogy, sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, crafting, and working in her flower beds.

She was a loving and caring mother, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife and sister. She was the matriarch of our family with an unwavering faith in the Lord. She dearly loved, and was proud of all her children and always wanted the best for them. She especially loved and enjoyed her grandchildren, and simply adored her great-grandchildren, with whom she was blessed. She loved to be surrounded by her family and friends, and she was always her happiest when her family and friends were near.

She was dearly loved, deeply cherished, and will be greatly and forever missed by her family; a multitude of relatives, and many friends. We are forever grateful for our time with her and thankful for the years we had with her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Olga; her sister Bonnie; sister-in-law Sandra Bennett; and nephew, Josh Bennett.

She was blessed with and survived by her six children, La Rae (Wayne) Koski of Colstrip, Vickie (George) Ehrlekrona of Billings, Steven (Nancy) Whitaker of Salem, MO, Kimi (Joe) Leturgez of Fort Collins, CO, Julie (Gary) Mock of Enid, OK, and James (Jasmine) Whitaker of SLC, UT; her brother, Gary Bennett and sisters Joy (Gene) Corner and Sara (Mike) Rodgers, all from Havre; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives.

Cremation has taken place and graveside services will be scheduled for mid September when she will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery, next to her parents and sister, in Havre. Information regarding her services will be posted in early September for those wishing to attend.

The family would like to thank Pastor Ron Palmer; friends Lora Hall, Russell Hamburg, and Peggy Lowe; Dr. David Christianson and the staff at St. Vincent Frontier Cancer Center, and Riverstone Health Hospice for their care, and the blessing they all were to our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church in Billings, The Salvation Army or a charity of donor's choice.