ODIN — Mathilda M. “Tillie” Penka, 95, died Nov. 21, 2017, at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born Dec. 11, 1921, on the family farm near Odin, the daughter of William B. and Frances (Frenzel) Zecha. A lifetime resident of Odin, she was a homemaker.
Tillie was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society.
On May 29, 1944, she married Joseph L. Penka. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1989.
Survivors include eight children, Janiece Kornmeyer and husband Myron of Wilson, Marvin Penka and wife Katrina of Redwing, Alvin Penka of Odin, JoAnn Puls and husband Bruce of Parker, Colo., Marty Geist and husband Bill of Amarillo, Texas, Kathy Hammeke and husband Dave of Belpre, Dee Caraway of Amarillo, Texas, and Joe Penka of Odin; two sisters, Doris Weiser of Hoisington and Lucille Schneweis of Wichita; seven grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; six brothers, Raymond, Robert, Victor, Herman, Francis and Clarence Zecha; and four sisters, Eleanor Johanning, Helen Straub, Kathleen Zecha and Agnes Penka. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, with family to greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Vigil and Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Altar Society or Holy Family Cemetery Fund, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146; 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 22, 2017