Dateline: Odin, Kansas

Mathilda M. “Tillie” Penka, 95, died November 21, 2017, at Salina Regional Health Center.
She was born December 11, 1921, on the family farm near Odin, Kansas, the daughter of William B. and Frances (Frenzel) Zecha.

A lifetime resident of Odin, she was a homemaker. Tillie was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society.

On May 29, 1944, she married Joseph L. Penka. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1989.

Survivors include; eight children, Janiece Kornmeyer and husband Myron of Wilson, Marvin Penka and wife Katrina of Redwing, Alvin Penka of Odin, JoAnn Puls and husband Bruce of Parker, CO, Marty Geist and husband Bill of Amarillo, TX, Kathy Hammeke and husband Dave of Belpre, Dee Caraway of Amarillo, TX, and Joe Penka of Odin; two sisters, Doris Weiser of Hoisington, and Lucille Schneweis of Wichita; 7 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; six brothers, Raymond, Robert, Victor, Herman, Francis, and Clarence Zecha; and four sisters, Eleanor Johanning, Helen Straub, Kathleen Zecha, and Agnes Penka.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Vigil and Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kansas. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Altar Society or Holy Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.