Emma J. Penn

Emma Juanita Hecox Penn, 68, passed away at her home in Las Vegas, NV on March 2, 2012.

Emma was born in San Diego, CA to Orville Hecox and Vivian Juanita Scott Hecox on October 13, 1943. The couple, originally from Kansas and Texas respectively, had moved to California to work in the aviation industry during WWII. At home, Emma joined older sister Roberta Bobbie and the family continued to reside in San Diego until Orville was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946.

Upon Orvilles discharge the family moved to Oklahoma and later Colorado where the family engaged in farming. Along the way two more daughters, Ozella and Andrea, were added to the family.

In 1955 the family moved to Weskan, KS, where they were again engaged in farming. On the bus ride to her first day of school in Weskan, Emma met Bonnie Baehler Fuentes and the two remained lifelong fast friends. Emma was very active in 4H participating in sewing, cooking, baking, and beef projects. One of her proudest achievements was the CatchItCalf she won at the Colorado State Fair that later won grand champion at the Wallace County Fair. 4H held a special place in Emmas heart as that is also where she met her future husband, Varden Vern Penn, when they rode in the same car during the Wallace County Fair Parade in 1958. She was also involved in school activities at Weskan High School as a cheerleader, band member, twirler and member of the drama club.

In 1960, during Emmas sophomore year in high school a devastating house fire claimed the life of her youngest sister, Andrea, as well as the family residence. In 1961 the family moved to Tribune, KS where Emma graduated from Greeley County High School in the class of 1962. Following graduation from high school Emma worked at the Sharon Springs Cafe until attending Fort Hays State University where she majored in home interior design.

Emma and Varden were married on November 29, 1964. The couple resided in Sharon Springs, welcoming son, Vance Varden Penn, in 1966 and daughter, Pennell Luann Penn, in 1971.

Emma remained active in the Sharon Springs community with the childrens activities and later coordinating the 1980 United States Census for Wallace County, working at Wehners Grocery and as a member of the United Methodist Church. When the family business, Penn Distributing, was sold the family relocated to Lincoln, NE in 1981.

While in Nebraska Emma was an employee of the Lincoln Public Schools LPS working as a coordinator in the detention program and later with the computer education program. She worked with the LPS until she and Varden moved to Denver, CO in 1996.

In Denver, Emma worked for the Adams County School District in the computer education program until her retirement in 2006. She and Varden enjoyed attending Colorado Rockies baseball games, bus trips to the Blackhawk casinos, and taking their grandchildren to Lakeside Amusement Park and Casa Bonita.

Following Vardens retirement in 2009 the couple traveled the Eastern United States for several months, an area neither had seen. In their travels they visited their daughter, Pennell, in Wilmington, NC and son, Vance and family, in Washington, DC for an extended period. They enjoyed visiting historical sites along the east coast, many mansions and music shows whenever possible. Some of the highlights included attending a Twilight Tattoo in Washington, DC and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.

In 2009 the couple moved to Las Vegas, NV where they have enjoyed the weather and entertainment.

Emma is survived by her husband of 47 years, Varden of Las Vegas, NV, son, Vance and spouse Renee, two grandchildren, Drew Elizabeth and Valen Vance, of San Antonio, TX, daughter, Pennell of Las Vegas, NV, sisters, Bobbie Mason of Sutton, AK and Ozella Prather of Denver, CO, seven nieces and six nephews.