Beverly Penn

Beverly Arlene McBride Penn, Mobridge, SD, died with her youngest daughter in an automobile accident near Belfield, ND, on Sunday, April 15, 2007. Services will be held at 2:00 pm CST Thursday at First Lutheran Church, Mandan and 1:00 pm MT, Friday at Harding County School Gymnasium, Buffalo, SD. Burial will be in Harding Cemetery, Buffalo, SD. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and continue one hour prior to both services at the church. Bev was born on December 24, 1948, in Beulah, ND, to Harold and Vi White McBride. When she was three years old the family moved to Williston, ND. She graduated from Williston High School in 1966. She attended Bismarck Junior College for one year before transferring to the University of North Dakota. While at UND, she went to Bogota, Columbia and taught English at a girls school for two years. She graduated from UND with a degree in Elementary Education in 1971. Her first teaching job was in Harding, SD where she met Ab Penn. Bev and Ab were married at the First Union Church in Williston in 1973. They taught in Torrington, WY until 1978 at which time they moved to Ab's family ranch in Harding County, SD. Bev liked to say she took a 14 year maternity leave to raise cattle, sheep and kids. She went back to teaching at Buffalo Elementary School. Bev lost the love of her life on November 15th, 1995. When the nest was empty Bev flew the coop and enrolled at Northern State University. She was proud to graduate with a Masters in Education/Guidance and Counseling in 2004. She worked at Wakpala and Selby, SD, schools for one year and then went to work for Timber Lake, SD, Public School where she was working at the time of her death. Bev was a gifted person and generously shared of herself. She was an amazing storyteller and a great conversationalist who made special connections with everyone she met. Bev enjoyed sewing, Bev was a wonderful public speaker and enjoyed providing pulpit supply. She was involved in PEO, Delta Phi Gamma, the Red Hat Society, the United Congregational Church in Mobridge, and the South Dakota Counselor's Association. One of her last major accomplishments was to quit smoking. Bev was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be greatly missed. She is survived by a son, Jeremiah and his wife Siri, their children Signe, Micah and Josiah of Mayville, ND; daughter, Charity Penn of Douglas, WY; daughter, Tennille Penn of Omaha, NE; sister, Pat Don Leonard of East Grand Forks, MN; brother, Russ McBride of Williston, ND; sister-in-law, C'Dale Phil Jore; and various aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bev was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Tom McBride; her husband, Ab Penn; infant son, Zachariah Penn; and one niece, Kendra McBride.

Beverly Penn

December 24, 1948 - April 15, 2007