Ella Marie Pennington

Ella Marie Pennington, 99, of Perry, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry, with public visitation beginning one hour prior at 10:00 a.m., also at the church. Burial will follow at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Perry Public Library, or Quilts of Valor.

Ella was born on December 1, 1926, in Peoples Township, Boone County, Iowa, the daughter of Nick and Christine (Jessen) Luett. She was raised in the Bouton area and attended Greenvale Country School and Bouton School, graduating from Perry High School with the Class of 1943. She later attended Capital City Commercial College.

On February 14, 1945, Ella was united in marriage to Jack Pennington in Bouton. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and community.

Ella was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and P.E.O. Chapter O.K. She gave generously of her time as a Sunday School teacher, a volunteer at the Lutheran Home, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a former 4-H leader, and a member of the Boone County Extension Committee.

She worked for Perry State Bank, as well as Angus and Perry Grain Elevators and Van Wall Equipment.

Ella found great joy in spending time with her family and friends, especially her church family. She enjoyed reading, golfing, traveling, and dedicating herself to church work. She was especially known for her cooking and baking—her homemade noodles, cookies, and cinnamon rolls were favorites among those who knew and loved her. In her later years, she lovingly made quilts for the homeless.

She is survived by her children: Susan Rath; Dennis (Sandy) Pennington; and Ronald (Janean) Pennington. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kristal (Scott) Gavin; Brandt Pennington; Christine (Jake) Rath Miller; Chad (Linda) Pennington; Erinn (Steve) Boyer; Marc (Emily) Pennington; and Jessica Briggs; her great-grandchildren: Madison, Colin, and Alec Gavin; Grayson and Skyler Pennington; Jackson, Nora, and Bowen Pennington; Kaleb and Kaiden Pennington and Kameron Royster; Mason Boyer; and Reilley and Jack Bertram; her great-great-grandsons: William, Benjamin, and Noah Danielson; sister-in-law, Naomi Luett, and nephews: Gary, Dan, and David Luett; among other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Christine Luett; husband, Jack Pennington; and her brothers, Carl Luett (Idabelle) and Laverne Luett.

Ella will be remembered for her kindness, her faith, her dedication to serving others, and the love she shared with her family and friends.