Janis Breshears Penly

Janis L. Breshears Penly, loving daughter of the late Leonard (Bud) and Helen Breshears, passed away on Thursday March 31, 2016 at the age of 69.

Janis attended and graduated from Oelwein High School, which she proudly supported as a member of the Huskettes dance team. It is during this time that she met Donn Sensor, the man with whom, unbeknownst to her, she would enjoy her final days in this world. She went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa, where she majored in English and especially enjoyed her writing classes. It is here that she met Don Penly II. They married and moved to Wisconsin and started a family. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, caring for her family and creating a life for her three children that left them with many cherished memories--movie nights with big bowls of popcorn, sleepovers in tents in the backyard, cookies and hot chocolate after school on really cold winter days, and hours of fun with friends in the backyard swimming pool, to name but a few. She was active with the kids' school and supported them in their extracurricular activities. You could be sure to hear her cheering at the hockey games--ringing that cow bell, hollering and whistling! She began a career as an EMT with the city. She was a natural and went on to serve as an instructor at the local community college. She was a confident and skilled responder, so she extended her role to include police dispatcher. Janis's path eventually led her to the position of President of her local credit union, where she served for 10 years before retiring. She spent her final years snuggling her cat, chatting with her cousin, watching movies, trying to figure out the internet, and reuniting with her high school flame. They enjoyed many days relaxing by the fire in the woods and just plain living. They laughed, shared stories, and had fun riding the trails on the golf cart.

Janis is survived by her fiance, Donn Sensor; three children: Don Penly III (Sarah) of Madison, WI, Gina Hall (Bryan) of Madison, WI, and Brian Penly (Melanie) of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren, Zoa, Mylah, McKenzie, Owen, Guy and Keeley; her half-sister and nephew Carleen and Scott Brown; aunts and uncles; and her beloved cat, Wyatt.

Janis will be laid to rest with her parents at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens cemetery in Hazelton, Iowa. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the cemetery. Join the family after the service at Donn's campground in the woods located at 12881 150th Street (Hwy 93) Fayette, IA 52142. Lunch and refreshments will be served while we celebrate the life of a fun and beautiful woman.

Directions from the cemetery to the celebration of life:
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/list/1/us/iowa/business-hazleton/floral-hills-memorial-gardens-355529215/to/us/ia/fayette/52142/12881-150th-st-42.846590,-91.842709

Visitors looking for hotel accommodations in the area can call Boarders Inn and Suites, (563) 425-0214. This hotel is located at 515 1/2 West Water St., Fayette, IA 52142 and a block of rooms have been reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights.

We invite you to share your memories here for all to enjoy as we honor the life of our beautiful mother and friend.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.