Martha A. Pennell

Martha Aline Pennell, age 91, of rural Lamar, passed away early Monday morning, December 8, 2014 at her home with her family at her side.      Martha was a triplet, born along with a brother and sister on September 1, 1923 at Mound City, Missouri to Charles and Mary (Van Arsdle) Leeper.  In 1941, at Carthage, Missouri, Martha married Elmer Moenning, Sr. and they had raised eight children and celebrated 47 years together before his passing May 9, 1988.  On August 8, 1990, at Newport, she married Loyd Pennell and they had made their home in Barton County for the past 24 years.      In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Martha was an active member of Newport Baptist Church.  Her love and concern for souls made her a dedicated prayer warrior whose deepest desire was for family and friends to know the same joy she experienced through her relationship with Jesus Christ.  Martha was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing her artistic abilities through ceramics and flower creations.      Survivors include her husband Loyd, of the home; three sons, Gary (Peggy) Moenning, Bayard, Nebraska, Charles (Sherry) Moenning, Gering, Nebraska, and Melvin (Thelma) Moenning of the Philippines; two step-sons, Harry (Linda) Pennell and Carl (Renee) Pennell all of Lamar; three daughters, Barbara (Eric) Lawrence, Bolivar, Linda (Harry) Pennell, Lamar, Lucia Ashley & fiancé, Al Brown of Taylorsville, Utah; a step-daughter, Linda (John) Strong, Lamar; 22 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; many nephews, nieces, friends and church family.      Martha was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Elmer Moenning Sr; two children, Catherine Moenning and Elmer Moenning Jr; a grandson, Christopher Ashley; three brothers and two sisters.      Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 12th at Newport Baptist Church with burial in Collins Cemetery.      The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Daniel Funeral Home.