Betty Jean Pennington

Betty J. Pennington, 81, of Bismarck, ND, passed away on January 21, 2025 at St. Vincent’s Nursing home in Bismarck.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Capital Church, 3838 Jericho Rd, Bismarck, ND, with visitation one hour prior to service. 

Betty was born on April 22, 1943 in Fredonia, ND. She was the daughter of Otto and Bertha (Heller) Elhard. She grew up in Fredonia, ND working at the family business: The Economy Store. She graduated from Kulm High School in 1961. She then attended Hub City Bible Institute for two years.

Betty was united in marriage to Daryl Pennington on April 14, 1963. They lived, served and pastored across North Dakota in Walhalla, Regan, Dazey and Scranton for Assembly of God Churches. They moved to Bismarck in 1982 and pursued jobs. They began to fill in at McClusky Assembly of God in 1989, retiring after 30+ years. In their retirement, they served at the Manor in Bismarck with Betty playing the piano and Daryl assisting in the services.

 Betty was proud of her German heritage. You can ask any of her kids or grandkids, the best German meal was kneophla, Wishek sausage and corn. She was gifted with music and thoroughly enjoyed blessing people with her piano and organ playing. She also enjoyed embroidery, crocheting and quilting.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Alice & Della Fern; mother and father-in-law, Virginia and Leonard Pennington; brother-in-law, Virgil Pennington and brother and sister-in-law, Lamar (Marcene) Kyle.

Grateful for having shared her life are husband Daryl of 61 years; children: Gwen Marlow, Mark (Jolynn) Pennington, Tim (Jody) Pennington, Bruce (Heather) Pennington, Paul (Melissa) Pennington; grandchildren: Kimberly (Evan) Hanson, Kevin (Shanna) Marlow, Kayla Pennington and fiancé Nathan Mehring, Becca (Ian) Nelson, Chris Pennington, Elizabeth Pennington, Marshall Pennington, Tanner (Rusalyn) Pennington, Taylor (Shay) Pennington and Trevor Pennington and girlfriend, Paige.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Westley & Reagan Hanson, Aysia Tran & Jersey & Lexie Marlow, Addy, Eva & Sadie Pennington, Aurora and baby Pennington expected, June 2025; sister and brother-in-law, Thelma & Carl Kvanvig; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Carmen and Floyd Lien, Galen and Deb Pennington, Brian and Gay Pennington.

A video livestream will be offered right here on Betty's online obituary on the day of her funeral service.