Catherine Marie DePenning, 92, passed from this life on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at Skiff Medical Center. A funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 9, at Sully First Reformed Church.
Catherine was born June 28, 1922, on a farm east of Sully where she lived for 19 years. She was the oldest of three children born to Jacob and Mattie (Van Arkel) Laverman. She attended Taylor Country School and graduated from Sully Christian School.
Catherine was married to Wilbur DePenning on Sept. 24, 1943, in Sully. Four sons were born to this marriage: Rodney Dale, Harley Bruce, Michael W., and Brian Jay.
After the early death of her husband Wilbur in 1967, she obtained her high school GED from DMACC, attended cosmetology school in Des Moines, and operated her own beauty shop for 16 years. She enjoyed retirement for 26 years, taking many bus trips, attending family events, following the adventures of her grandchildren, and sitting on her front “porch” with her friends and neighbors.
Catherine was a member of Sully First Reformed Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in many activities.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Clarence Laverman; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Catherine is survived by her four sons, Rodney of Newton, Harley of Stockport, Mike of New Sharon, and Brian of Ankeny; sister, Arlene (Arland) Vander Leest of Sully; five grandchildren, Charles (Li Min), Sally (Dave) Carnes, Jay, Cameron, and Jake; one great-granddaughter, Olivia June DePenning; and several nephews and nieces.
