Pandora “Penny” (Haas) Klewin, 76, Bismarck, died Monday, July 18, 2016. Penny’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. CT, Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Capitol Heights Baptist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Mike Fix officiating. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Pandora (Penny) Margaret Haas Klewin was born to Carol House Haas and John F (Johannes Franciscus) Haas in Richardton, on July 8th 1940. Because she was born on her brother John L.’s 5th birthday, he was allowed to name his baby sister, and he chose “Penny”. Penny’s happy childhood was spent on the family farm near Lefor, North Dakota. She received her elementary education in country schools, and graduated as a Cardinal from Mott Lincoln High School in 1958. She trained to be a teacher, receiving a standard certificate from Dickinson State University and a bachelor degree in elementary education from the University of Mary. She taught for many years, at schools in Williston, Richardton, Mandan, Hettinger, and Bismarck. She married Ron Klewin on August 23rd 1968. They taught together for several years before moving to Bismarck, where she lived until her death.
Penny was a craftswoman extraordinaire; an active member of quilting, lacing and knitting clubs. Among her creations are beautiful quilts, wall hangings, bags, dolls, knitted and crocheted sweater shawls and afghans. Her interest in her German-Hungarian heritage led her to perpetuate her Hungarian Grandmother’s art of netsa. Penny’s other interests included active membership in the Bismarck Study Club, reading, gardening, walking, visiting with family and friends, and cheating at board games and cards.
Her Christian faith was of paramount importance to Penny, and she deeply enjoyed the fellowship at the Capitol Heights Baptist church, which she attended for several years. She took a special delight in her friendship with Mathew Brucks.
Penny was the bedrock and the guardian of her family—both immediate and extended. It was through her steadfast effort that times, seasons and holidays were observed. She was gracious, kind, and forgiving (but not always very patient).
Penny died peacefully on July 18th 2016, surrounded by the love of her family, and the loving, skilled care of the staff at the Richardton Health Center. The family extends thanks for superb care in beautiful surroundings, and request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Richardton Health Center. She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother David, her niece Heidi, and her husband Ron (February 2nd 2015). She is survived by her adoring brothers and sisters: Carol “Sis” (Jack) Varner, John L (Ruth) Haas, Sylvia (Bunky) Lillibridge, CB “Buck” (Bev) Haas, Ruth H (Larry) Johnson; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew, and many friends.
Penny was slight of build; her slender feet left little impression on the earth where she walked. The impression she left on our lives and our hearts, however, is deep, delightful, indelible and eternal.
