Penny Jo Lecheler age 53 of Eau Claire passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 29, 2018 at her home in Eau Claire.

Penny was born January 19, 1965 in Menomonie.  She was the daughter of Jerry and Beatrice (Kapping) Gasteyer and grew up at home in the Township of Eau Galle, rual Elmwood.  Penny graduated from Elmwood High School in 1983.  Penny attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout and received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 1983.  Penny worked at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire for 13 years as a Pre-School Teacher.  Penny married Mark S. Lecheler August 20, 1988 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elmwood.  After marriage they made their home in Eau Claire.

Penny enjoyed doing 4-H with her kids when they were younger, spending time with family and relatives at the holidays and participating in the annual cookie bake with her best friends.

Penny is survived by her husband, Mark, two sons, Thomas and Jason both of Eau Claire; stepson Joshua (Kaci) Lecheler of Palestine, IL; her parents Jerry and Beatrice Gasteyer of Elmwood, two sisters, Julie Hanson of Bloomington, MN, Robin (Richard) Warner of Inver Grove Heights; two step grandsons Liam and Lane Lecheler, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday September 4, 2018 at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eau Claire with Rev. Herbert Prahl officiating. Burial will be in the Weber Valley Cemetery, rural Elmwood.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

The family would like to thank her caregivers at Mayo Hospital and Dialysis Center for the great care she has been given the past 12 years.

Condolences

1. Gary & Judi Bauer September 11, 2018, at 2:33pm

   Mark thinking of you and your family, sending our sympathy in your loss of Penny.

2. Jim Turner September 4, 2018, at 11:12am

   My sincere condolences to Mark & family of Penny. May treasured memories help comfort you in this time of sorrow. God bless.

3. Catherine Gasteyer and Gene Westling September 3, 2018, at 6:03pm

   To the Lecheler and Gasteyer family, we were saddened to hear of Penny's passing. May wonderful memories of Penny bring you comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

4. John & Jodell Marson September 3, 2018, at 12:12pm

   Mark & Family,
   Sharing your sorrow at the loss of Penny. There is a place in our hearts where those we've loved live forever.
   Thinking of you with sympathy.

5. Raina and Bob Pfundheller September 3, 2018, at 8:44am

   Mark and family— We are so sorry for the loss of your dear Penny. She was so kind and pleasant and well loved. I know you will have many happy memories of your time spent together. God bless.

6. Jan and Joe Drier September 3, 2018, at 6:51am

   Mark and boys, So very sorry to hear of Penny’s passing...Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to the entire Lecheler and Gasteyer Families!

7. Carolyn Buvala September 3, 2018, at 6:46am

   Mark.....So sorry to hear about Penny's passing. Haven't seen you guys for a long, long time but remember Penny and you from Luther day care. Our deepest sympathy, Carolyn Buvala and Laura Hawkenson

8. David Tackmann September 2, 2018, at 8:59pm

   Dear Mark, So sorry to hear about your loss. May God bring you some peace in this time. Deb and I send our prayers and blessings to you and the boys. DAVE

9. Lenora(Ginsbach) &Jack Jenkins September 1, 2018, at 12:47pm

   Dear Jerry and Beatty,
   So sorry to hear about Penny. Our most sincere sympathy to you and the Family.
   Jack & Lenora (Lini)

10. Wendy Erickson September 1, 2018, at 11:00am

    Mark, Thomas, and Jason, Jan Black Zielke and I are out west visiting Adam and Chelsea in Salt Lake City. We were so saddened to hear of Penny’s death! We have loved her from the days of Luther Child Care when Mark, Adam, and Christian all benefited from her love and care. She was an incredibly strong lady with all she went through, but now she rests safely in Jesus’s arms, and we will all see her again!
    We are so sad to miss the service for her, but know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers as you say “until we meet again”. God bless you. With love from Wendy and Jan

11. Wayne & Linda Chapman September 1, 2018, at 6:46am

    Our sincer sympathy to you and your family Mark.

12. Barbara Stoeckl September 1, 2018, at 12:06am

    Saddened to hear of your wife, mother, daughter, sister's passing. Your entire family is in my prayers.

13. Ken and Sue August 31, 2018, at 9:42pm

    Dear Mark and family. We were sad to read of Penny's death. We remember her courageous efforts to live life as fully as she could. May she find peace as you find comfort in knowing that God now holds her in the palm of His hand.

14. Dawnelle Horvath-Ender August 31, 2018, at 1:35pm

    So sorry to hear of Penny's passing. I remember her fondly from Leah's years in 4-H. Thoughts to all of you.

15. Jacob and Mary Ginsbach August 31, 2018, at 10:15am

    Mark and family, we are so deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Penny. Our thoughts are prayers are with during this very difficult time.

16. Jim and Kathy Abens August 31, 2018, at 9:01am

    Mark & family, we are very sorry to hear of Penny's passing. We appreciated Penny & you Mark helping to raise our kids at Luther Daycare. You & Penny would be proud of Matt, Monica, Connor & Grant. Blessings on you & on your family. Jim & Kathy

17. Bill&Maribeth Hartung August 31, 2018, at 8:56am

    We are so sorry to hear of Penny's passing. Our prayers are with all of the family.

18. Carol Baier August 31, 2018, at 8:20am

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you. Sincere sympathy to Jerry and Bedie Gasteyer.

19. Sandra McKinney August 31, 2018, at 8:04am

    So sorry to learn of Penny's passing. My prayers and support are with you. You are such great neighbors!

20. Pam Elbe Reitz August 31, 2018, at 7:29am

    SO sorry for your loss, Mark. Prayers, hugs and love to you and the boys.

21. Michele Westlund August 31, 2018, at 7:06am

    I am so sorry Julie! My thoughts and payers are with you!

22. Bob Lundberg August 31, 2018, at 6:49am

    I am so sorry for your loss. Now you have to keep Penny alive with your memories of the good times. You are in my prayers. Peace.

23. David and Jackie Bates August 31, 2018, at 6:40am

    We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Penny’s memory will live in your hearts and bring you peace.

24. Scott and Angie Hunter August 31, 2018, at 3:51am

    Deepest sympathy to the family

25. susan A bartelt August 31, 2018, at 2:40am

    Penny was a great lady I enjoyed working with her at Luther childcare.

26. Teresa Edison August 30, 2018, at 10:04pm

    Mark, Tom and Jason: I am so sorry for your loss. We had lots of good times when we worked together at Luther Child Care!

27. Kelly Seelhoff August 30, 2018, at 9:38pm

    So sorry to hear about Penny. My deepest sympathy to the family. Jerry and Beatie you will be in my thoughts.

28. Ann (Baier) Webb August 30, 2018, at 7:46pm

    Mark, boys and Gasteyer Family, so sorry to hear about the loss of Penny. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember her smile and laugh. Deepest sympathy to you.

29. Tammy Buesing Sachse August 30, 2018, at 7:22pm

    Mark and family I’m so sorry for your loss.

30. Paula Smith August 30, 2018, at 7:19pm

    Jerry and Betie so sorry for the loss of your child I hope your memory's of her last a lifetime time I'll pray for you often

    Paula Smith

31. Debra Flanders August 30, 2018, at 6:35pm

    So sorry Mark and boys for your loss! She was a great lady, and 4-H mom. She will be missed:
    Death leaves a heartache
    No one can heal,
    Love leaves a memory
    No one can steal

32. Meg Gerlach August 30, 2018, at 6:32pm

    Robin, my heart is breaking for you and your family and Penny’s family. So shocked. Please know I am giving you a virtual hug, and that God is holding you all in His arms - the same arms He welcomed Penny with yesterday. God bless you all, and may your happy memories sustain you.

33. Marian Ennen August 30, 2018, at 6:32pm

    My heart is heavy and sad to here about Penny. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mark, Tom, and Jason.

34. Candice Schreiner August 30, 2018, at 6:12pm

    Jason, Tom, & Mark - We have such fond memories of your family during our 4-H years. Our deepest condolences to each of you. May your memories comfort you.
    Hugs and much Love, Steve, Candy, Lauren & Carly Schreiner.

35. Vivian Robinson Stevens August 30, 2018, at 5:53pm

    So sorry to hear of Penny,s passing. Prayers for you all.

36. Diane M Bee & Daniel D Bee August 30, 2018, at 5:53pm

    Sorry for loss to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

37. Jerry and Joyce Kendall August 30, 2018, at 5:33pm

    We are very sorry for the loss to your family of Penny. She fought hard to stay with her family but it was not to be. God bless you all.

38. Gary & Dianne Lecheler August 30, 2018, at 5:18pm

    Our hearts are deeply saddened by your loss. You are in our prayers.

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