Arletta Penny

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Arletta “Lettie” Penny filled the lives of those she loved with many wonderful memories. She was a strong and loving woman whose life exemplified determination in the face of adversity and compassion toward those in need. She had a deeply personal faith, and gave generously of her time and resources to her family, to her community, and to all those around her. Arletta is deeply missed, and her memory will live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew her.

While the year 1917 is often remembered as the year our nation entered into World War I, it was also the year that Arletta was born in South Haven, Mich.—the third child in a family of five siblings. Arletta was born on April 22 to Horace Cady Holton, a farmer, and Frances Pauline (Muske) Holton, a homemaker. Arletta was raised alongside her older siblings, Violet and Clyde, and her younger siblings, Frank and Alynda, in their home east of South Haven. Horace’s family, the Holtons, trace their roots back to Deacon William Holton of Northampton, Mass., who immigrated in 1634. Frances’ family, the Muskes, were relatively recent immigrants of German extraction.

Arletta was particularly close to her younger brother, Frank, and they remained so throughout their lives. As a young girl, she attended Maple Grove School. She was determined to get an education, and so she got her first job in South Haven at the age of 13 so that she could attend South Haven High School. From there she attended Western State Teachers College, now known as Western Michigan University. As a young woman, Arletta became the first woman from South Haven to enlist in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) during World War II. Much of her time in the service was spent in Washington, D.C.

Arletta met Myron “Mike” Penny of 931 James Street in Kalamazoo, and they dated for a number of years. Mike was in the navy during the war, and he had occasion to visit her in Washington, D.C. After the war, they both took jobs: she with Hudson’s in Detroit as an interior decorator, and he as a salesman with the Shakespeare Company in Kalamazoo. They corresponded extensively—and visited each other—during this time.

Mike and Arletta were finally married on December 13, 1947. Their first home was a rented apartment in Henderson Castle in the late 1940s, and they later built a house in Kalamazoo on Grand Pre Avenue. Together they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Sarah Jean “Sally,” on May 7, 1951. A year later Arletta and her husband became parents to John Frederick (named after Mike’s father), but their joy quickly turned to sorrow as he died when he was just one day old.

In 1956, Mike was transferred to Chicago through his work with the Shakespeare Company, so the family moved and built a home in Park Ridge. In spite of challenges to Sarah’s health (open heart surgery in 1954 and 1961), they had a happy home life, and Mike was very successful in his career.

During their time in Chicago, the family acquired two dogs, Wren and Folly. Wren was first, and Folly was so named because according to Arletta, getting a second dog was “father’s folly!”

Arletta and Sally’s lives changed forever on January 20, 1967, when Mike suddenly passed away. He had been dearly loved, and was deeply missed. Arletta stayed in Park Ridge for a few more years, and then moved back to the Kalamazoo area to be closer to family. Arletta sent Sally to college at Hope College in Holland, Mich. Arletta obtained a position with Upjohn, and worked there as a secretary until her retirement in 1982.

Over the years there was nothing more important to Arletta than being with her loved ones. Arletta welcomed her daughter’s husband, Philip Tappert, into the family in 1972, and relished the arrival of each of five grandchildren over the course of 18 years: Greg, Julie, Glenn, Marc, and David Tappert. Later in life, Arletta’s family grew to include three great-grandchildren: Gage (age 4), Zane (age 22 months), and Lauren (age 2).

Although her family often lived far away, Arletta visited them frequently—at Christmas and Easter each year when they lived in Texas, and even made a trip to France to visit them while they lived abroad. Waiting to see what gifts and surprises would come out of Arletta’s hard sided white suitcase was always the subject of speculation and delight on the part of the grandchildren.

When the family would arrive in Kalamazoo for a visit, they always knew what would await them for dinner: Arletta’s inimitable goulash with piping hot corn bread and the most perfect homemade applesauce. Homemade oatmeal cookies were also never in short supply when the grandchildren visited; as she often said, “Take two, one might be wormy!”

Rather than being called something ordinary like “Grandma,” Arletta was christened by her oldest grandson with her own special name: “Bama” (pronounced Bah-ma). No one else in the world had a “Bama” who lived in Kalamazoo! While Arletta was classy, stylish, and dignified, she also had a delightful sense of humor, and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Whether playing catch in the backyard, or getting down on the floor to play a game, or reading a book aloud (perhaps The Carrot Seed, or Dirk’s Dog Bello, or John Martin’s Annual), or making snow angels (well into her 80’s!), or playing a serious game of cribbage, time with “Bama” was always enjoyable.

Often there would be lengthy evening discussions of history, politics, or current events. Arletta always took a keen interest in the grandchildren’s education, and made a point of challenging each one intellectually. She also provided in a substantial way for their college education. In many ways, Arletta was the inspiration behind—collectively—five bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. to be started this fall. For this wonderful legacy, the entire family is deeply grateful.

Arletta deeply enjoyed the company of her sisters-in-law, Maude and Celia Penny, Nell Monroe, Hazel Penny, and Donna Seiler. She continued to visit them regularly as they grew older, sometimes running errands or helping with household tasks. In later years, her nieces and nephews would return the favor by visiting her in the nursing home.

In her spare time, Arletta stayed busy in a variety of ways. She traveled extensively to places such as England, Scotland, Spain, and Portugal in addition to many historical sites within the United States. Arletta was an avid reader of nonfiction historical works, and she loved to read about the history of places she had visited—or intended to visit. She meticulously assembled albums of her trips—long before scrapbooking was in vogue. She rarely watched television other than the evening news, and stayed up to date by subscribing to the Kalamazoo Gazette for probably more than 30 years.

Arletta was also active within her community. She volunteered at the Portage Public Library for many years, taping books for the blind with a special recording device. Arletta’s lengthy service didn’t go unnoticed, and she received special honor for her volunteer involvement.

While living in Portage she attended St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, and later attended St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church after she moved to the west side of Kalamazoo. Arletta also made a lasting contribution within her community by establishing the “Myron and Arletta Penny Fund” at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

Devoted wife and mother, loving grandmother and great-grandmother, beloved sister and friend—Arletta Penny was a blessing to the lives of all who knew her. While her family misses her deeply, they rejoice that she lived her life in service to the Lord, and is enjoying the communion of the saints, abiding in the presence of Christ. They long for the last day, when she will be raised up and given a glorious resurrection body like Christ.

“I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me.”

Arletta Penny died on July 7, 2014, in Kalamazoo. Arletta’s family includes her 5 grandchildren: Gregory (Brenda) Tappert, Julie (Justin) Burns, Glenn (Mary) Tappert, Marc J. (Melisa) Tappert, and David Tappert; 3 great-grandchildren: Gage, Zane, and Lauren; and brother, Frank Holton. Arletta was preceded in death by her husband, Myron J. “Mike” Penny; infant son, John Frederick Penny; daughter, Sarah "Sally" Tappert; and 3 siblings: Clyde Holton, Lynda Holton and Violet Humphrey. Services will be held Saturday 11 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church (2010 Nichols Rd.) with visitation at 10 a.m. Burial at Riverside Cemetery. Please visit Arletta’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of her and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, ND. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home – Betzler; 6080 Stadium Dr., (269) 375-2900.