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In memory of

Penny Bennett

Choctaw, OK

March 30, 1942 - October 26, 2021

Mar 30, 1942 - Oct 26, 2021

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Penny Janett Ritchey was born March 30, 1942 in Joplin Missouri to Howard Ritchey and Mary Macon. She left for her heavenly home Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

Anyone that knew Penny, quickly loved her for her whit and larger-than-life personality. She loved making people laugh and bringing joy to their day.

Penny grew up very poor and joked about the irony of her name- Penny Ritchey. She often referred to herself as “Short-Change” or “Little Money.” At the age of 10, she started working at a local grocery store washing windows and stocking shelves. By the age of 14, she was on her own. At 17, she had her daughter Deborah and son, Mike, 2 years later. She was married to Leonard Boelen at the time and moved to Fletcher Oklahoma. In Fletcher, Penny stayed busy as a homemaker while her children grew up. After 20 years of marriage, she and Leonard divorced.

Penny lived a life of resilience. She loved to read and write and was wise beyond her years. Penny worked hard and held various jobs throughout her life including banking, equipment rental, and home healthcare. She had a heart for serving and helping care for others, including those who could no longer care for themselves. She was patient. She was loving.

It was during her time at Prime Equipment where she met a carpenter, Frank Bennett, who later became the love of her life. Penny and Frank were perfect together. He loved to sing. She loved to listen..and occasionally nag. She joked that sometimes she would wake up cranky, while other days she would let him sleep in. Together they bought a quaint little house by the lake that they made into a home. This home was the host to family gatherings, grandkid sleepovers and countless memories. They loved their grandkids, and with a blended family, there were several! Penny and Frank were married for almost 20 years before Frank unexpectedly departed for Heaven.

As mentioned before, Penny always lived life to the fullest! She had a distinctive and infectious laugh that was contagious. She loved to dance, and it was dancing that brought her back to health several years later. She loved bringing joy to others- through jokes, pranks, handing out her “card”, and flashing handsome men [with her keychain flashlight]. We can’t forget about her cooking, much less her famous buttermilk chicken. She did it all, and did it well. She was a light and this world is now a little less bright without her here. She knew her Savior, Jesus Christ. It was His peace that comforted her during her final days.

Penny was preceded in death by her Father, Mother and Husband, Frank Bennett.

Penny is survived by her brother, Terry Ritchey. Daughter Deborah Harwell and husband Steve, son Mike Boelen. Stepdaughters Susan Thomas, Vicky Cruise, Stephanie West and husband Kerry, and Beth Bryant. Grandchildren Stephanie Scott and husband Chris, Stephen Harwell and wife Kristin, Sheree Cordray and husband Landon, Tara Berns, Megan Pearman and husband Travis, Jared Boelen and wife Shelby, Echo Bennett and husband Curt, Ali Johnson, Bodie Thomas, Noah and Aiden Moore, Niki Brewer and husband Devan, Chris Best and wife Kayla, Morgan and Maddie Best, Melissa Padgett and husband Jason, Amanda West, Chase West and wife Mary, Chance West, Bayly Carmean and husband Chris, Drew Bryant and wife Brianne, Mallory and Lexi Bryant.

Great grandchildren Seth Herrera, Saige Herrera, Chase Scott, Jesse and Carrie Harwell, Chandler, Wyatt and Landree Cordray, Emma and Morgan Berns, Addie Hill, Anne Boelen, Eli, Ava, and Ace Pearman, Parker and Easton Boelen, Gavin Bennett, Ruxin and Ezrin Brown, SkeeterJohnson, Wilde and Ahzie Howard, Amelia Brewer, Kaidence, Zayne, Jaxtyn and Asher Padgett, Amaya and Kailee West, Aalana West, Weston and Owen Carmean, Ensley and Bowan Bryant. Great great grandchildren Sterling Herrera and Scarlett Herrera. Penny also has several surviving nieces and great nieces and nephews.

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