Polly Ann Penton was born in Colorado Springs May 18, 1940 to Joe and
Elna (Daniels) Larreau. She passed away July 9, 2022 after a battle with cancer. She was the seventh child. Five more came after her. She grew up in Eastern Colorado starting school at Hilltop near Thurman. Then in Thurman and then further west. At age 11, she moved with her family to the Kouba Ranch north west of Wray. She attended Fairview through eighth grade and graduated from Wray High School in 1958. She attended two years of college in Greeley, planning to be an elementary teacher.
She married a high school classmate, Kenneth Sommerfeld, August 30, 1959 at Vernon. His Navy duty took them to Massachusetts. Upon his discharge they settled in Monett, Missouri where there first son Gary Van was born. They moved back to Colorado and settled in Colorado Springs while there, they welcomed two more sons, Kirk Ian and Jon Eric. They lived in Wyoming for a short period of time and then moved back to Denver and there they welcomed their daughter Joy Lela.
Their marriage dissolved and Polly married another high school classmate Loren Penton on July 28, 1973 in Otis. They lost an infant daughter Emma Mary Penton in 1974. They saw Gary and Loren’s son Jeff become State Champion in 8 man football, Kirk is on the trophy as team manager. They moved to Gallup, New Mexico and saw Gary and Jeff graduate in 1980 and 1981. They moved to Wray where Kirk, Jon and Joy graduated in 1983, 1986 and 1988. Jon became Lineman of the year and was State champ in 11-man football in 1985. Joy became most valuable player and State Champions in Academic Decathlon in 1987 and 1988.
They moved to Elko, Nevada and while there they made five trips to Alaska and another to Penton, New Jersey. While living in Elko, they helped build the Faith Lutheran Church where Polly served as secretary.
Polly loved being wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, Vacation Bible School and Sunday school teacher, 4-H leader, CNA and Lutheran member. She kept her promise to their Sommerfeld grandfather and made sure her children were confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She had many hobbies including sewing, crochet, embroidery, cooking, baking and travel.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Elna, in-laws Ern and Lela Sommerfeld, Jim and Faye Penton. Siblings: Ellen, Donald, Boyd, Joe Jr., Jim, Winston, and Kathy. Daughter-in-law Judie Sommerfeld, her children’s father Kenneth, and one grandson Andrew.
She is survived by husband Loren Penton of Eckley, sisters Dee Wilson of Wray, Colorado, Carol Mahar of Fletcher, North Carolina, Sue Larreau of Land of Lakes, Florida, brother Buzz (Shelia) Larreau of Minatare, Nebraska, son Gary (Polly) of Anchorage, Alaska, Kirk Sommerfeld and Jon Sommerfeld of Tenino, Washington, daughter Joy (Rick) Sweet of Boise, Idaho, son Jeff (Jonette) Penton of Topeka, Kansas, and daughter Heidi (Mike) Penton Loomis of Lindsborg, Kansas. She also has 12 grandchildren, two of their spouses and two great grandchildren.
2022-07-15