08/14/2026
Pauline "Penny" Belle Pester, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at the age of 101. She was born on June 30, 1925, in Marion County, Kansas, on the family farm, one of 11 children.
Penny married Robert "Daddy Bob" Pester, and together they shared 15 wonderful years of marriage before his passing. She is survived by her son, Gene Pester, (Wendy) of Florida. She is preceded in death by her daughters Kay Sauer and Dee Wilson.
Penny was a woman of remarkable determination and strength. As a young widow, she raised three children while building a successful career in nursing. She put herself through nursing school at Old General Hospital in Kansas City, now Truman Medical Center, and went on to serve as a registered nurse for 29 years.
Outside of her career and family, Penny had many passions. She was an avid horsewoman who loved the freedom and companionship that came with riding. She also enjoyed needlework and reading and became especially well known for her beautiful tatting and quilts. She lovingly gifted many of her handmade creations to family and friends, leaving behind treasured reminders of her talent and generosity.
Penny was a devout Roman Catholic and a longtime member of Sacred Heart Parish in Warrensburg. Her family is deeply grateful for the loving support she received from the parish community, especially Kathy Sommerkamp, Joe and Rose Delgabo, and the members of the Homebound Ministry.
Penny was blessed with a large and loving family. She leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren, along with her son, Gene, and many other family members and friends who will cherish her memory.
Granny nurtured generations of family and persevered with grace and courage through blindness during the last several years of her life. Her strength, faith, creativity, and love will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.
Her family feels incredibly blessed to have had her in their lives for so many years and is grateful for the legacy of love she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, in Warrensburg, Missouri, with a funeral service following and Father Andrew Kleine officiating. A graveside service will then be held at 4:00 p.m., at Grant Cemetery in Marion, Kansas.
