Penny Lynn Isaak passed away on November 5th, 2022 after a long battle with Ovarian Cancer. She was born on 01/03/51 along with her twin sister Peggy Lee Doss. She is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Mildred Doss, two older brothers Michael and Patrick, her sister Peggy, and two nephews David and Shawn.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dale Isaak, and their three sons, Jacob, Jerrod and Gentry. Together Dale and Penny have four grandchildren; Savanna, Madison, Baily and Brayton, as well as a great grandson Arbor Allen Worthington and his father Cody Worthington. In addition, Penny is also survived by two daughter-in-laws, Kristy and Kristine, 6 nieces and 2 nephews, cousin Jeri Sorenson, a sister in-law, Virgina, and a brother-in-law, Larry, and many, many friends including Barb Fresquez. Throughout life her primary focus was always family and friends. She was very proud of her sons, their wives, and her grandchildren.
She was educated in Billings, Montana and graduated from Billings West High. She earned a BS in Elementary Education from Montana State University and in mid-life returned to earn a graduate M.S. degree in Special Education from the University of Wyoming. All through her life she enjoyed working with young children, either in a volunteer capacity or as a vocation. She established a traveling preschool where she visited home daycare centers to provide educational programs to preschool children and helped Dr. Kleppinger to organize Camp Wheez-Be-Gone for young children with asthma to spend a week at summer camp. She also worked at the Early Childhood Development Center in Laramie as a special education teacher. In all these programs she had a lasting positive effect on her young students who referred to her as Miss Penny; even years later it wasn’t uncommon for former students to approach her with their own small children and comment “This is the wonderful Miss Penny I’ve been telling you about.”
She also did extensive volunteer work at the University of Wyoming’s Art Museum in their various educational and fundraising programs. Because of her Native American Crow Indian heritage she was particularly involved in leading tours through exhibitions of the extensive Indian artifact collection which her father Pete Doss had collected during his lifetime and placed on loan to the Art Museum.
Penny also enjoyed casino slot machine gambling, playing games with her grandchildren and cards with her friends. She was an avid reader and loved having her home surrounded by numerous pots of flowers which, because of her green thumb, always provided a rich display of colorful flowers for passerbys to enjoy during their walks down Beaufort street. A favorite activity of Penny’s was to spend weekends with family and friends at the family cabin which her sons and their closest friends built.
Penny was a wonderful, caring and giving person who enjoyed a rich full life with her family and friends. She will be missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Services for Penny are scheduled for Monday, 11/14/22 at 10 am at the First United Methodist Church. To help celebrate Penny’s life, the family would also like to share a meal with all of Penny’s friends at 12pm noon at the Elk’s Club in Laramie.
In memory of Penny, in lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Hospice of Laramie where the staff worked with tireless compassion and energy to make Penny’s last days as comfortable as possible. Hospice of Laramie, 1754 Centennial Dr., Laramie, WY (307) 745-9254. Website: hospiceoflaramie.org
I have fond memories of Penny when she was pregnant with Gentry - she was always a bright spot in my day. Condolences to all of you in the loss of this delightful woman.
Love to all of you. Penny was such a bright light. I loved all the beautiful things she has done with children. What a dear heart she was, a beautiful lady, inside and out. So Special and caring in everything she ever did. Jo Ann Alles Dahlberg
I pass by your house daily on my workouts for years now and would always love the opportunity to say hello to Penny. She had a beautiful light and energy about her, and always gave more pep to my run on the days when our paths would cross. She has always inspired me to do the same, and that's how the legacy of wonderful people lives on. I wish you all peace and comfort at this time.
Sorry to hear about Penny. She was the Special Ed teacher in my classroom at Head Start for several years. There was nothing she wouldn't do for me or the children. Love shined through her every fiber. I know she will be missed by everyone.
Our most sincere condolences to you all in the very sad and difficult time. Penny was such a wonderful person! Please know you're all in our thoughts and prayers!! 🙏
Mark and I extend our sincere sympathy to Dale and the whole family. We cherish our warm memories and friendship developed in Boston.
Dear Dale, So sorry to hear of Penny's passing. Please accept and extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I always enjoyed the times Larry and I spent with the two of you. May this dear lady Rest In Peace now🙏
Dale I’m so sorry to hear about Penny. My heart hoes out to you and Family 🙏🙏
DALE AND FAMILY.....I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS...PENNY WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND AWESOME PERSON..... INSIDE AND OUT. SHE CHERISHED HER FAMILY AND I KNOW SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. I AM SURE SHE IS WATCHING OVER EACH ONE OF YOU. JUST KNOW THAT SHE IS NO FARTHER AWAY FROM YOU AND A THOUGHT. BIG HUGS AND LOVE TO ALL OF YOU. Dale....Terri took some flowers to your Mom's grave a couple months ago when they were in North Dakota. My kids loved their Grandma Frieda SENDIN BIG HUGS TO ALL OF YOU.....LOVE YOU BUNCHES.....KATHY TINNES LAWRENCE....AND FAMILY
Dale and family: so sorry to see Penny's passing. I think of all the fun times we had together. Take care my friend. She will live with us forever.
Please know that you have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife, mother, and grandmother. We know that there is little we can say to console you but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Penny will be deeply missed. Pat & Linda Flynn
Uncle Dale, Jacob, Jerrod & Gentry; My heart is broken to hear of Aunt Penny’s passing. I always loved seeing you all when you would visit Grandpa and Grandma in Billings. I am so happy that I reconnected with Aunt Penny via email a couple years ago. She shared Grandma Frieda’s caramel roll recipe with me. I’ve always loved her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this difficult time. May her precious memory carry you through the days and years ahead. - Lisa Lawrence Nance
I am deeply saddened to here the passing of penny. So much history first meeting the doss family when their mother was my Cub Scout leader in third grade. I have the fondest of memories of penny growing up. Dale my thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family during this most difficult time. Jerry Schenk
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May her fond memories bring you comfort and peace.
so sorry for your loss Dale, and condolances to your family. I still remember playing as little kids on the farm ,memories we will always remember. Gene Isaak AKA Sonny
I knew Penny and Peggy in high school and always admired how beautiful they were. She really made the world a better place! My dad Stan Stevens was very close friend to Pete. My dad and Mike spent a lot of hours together reminiscing and telling stories. He was heart broken when Mike passed. Stan went to meet everyone at the other side camp in June of this year at age 98. You will be in our thoughts and prayers Stan Stevens families in Billings, Mt
Sorry for your loss Dale and condolences to the family. I remember when you and zPenny started dating. She was one of the beautiful “Doss twins!” My prayers are with the family at this time. Jim Rye
I feel so lucky to have met Penny and Dale. Two very wonderful people. I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of her passing. Although, I didn't know Penny for long, she left a lasting mark on me. One of the strongest women I have met in a long time. So incredibly sorry for your loss Dale, and for the rest of your family as well.
From hospice staff, sending love, peace and comfort. It was a privilege and honor to provide comfort in Penny's final days.
From hospice staff, sending thoughts of comfort, peace and love. It was a privilege and honor to provide comfort in Penny's final days.
Our deepest sympathy to the Issaak Family. We loved watching our sons grow up with Issaak boys. Those were the days!
My prayers and thoughts to the family.I was lucky to have worked with Miss Penny.She was such a bright light in my day whenever she stopped to talk.You will always hold a special place in my heart,beautiful lady.
Our deepest Condolences to Penny’s family. There are no words to express the sadness we feel hearing of her passing. Penny was a loving, kind, caring and beautiful lady. She had a heart of gold. Our prayers and hearts are with all her family. Bruce and Cheryl Culver
We are so saddened to learn of Penny’s passing. She taught our son at the Open School, and we have never forgotten her kindness and all that she taught her tiny students. She created such a connected little classroom amongst the 4-and 5-year-olds that many of them remain close friends today, 21 years later. Knowing her warmth and loving kindness, we imagine the joy she brought to her family and loved ones, and send our deepest condolences for your loss. We are so grateful to have known Penny!
Dear Jake and family, I’m so sorry for your devastating loss. Not only did Penny make me feel at home when I was at her home, I worked at camp with her for two years. She always made me feel special and had a smile on her face. She passed that smile onto her boys. She’ll be greatly missed by family and friends. I wish I could be there for her celebration of life or before that to tell her. Wishing her family peace during this truly difficult time. Shannon (Huffsmith) Kellerman
I can’t say enough about hospice of Laramie! It sounds like she lived a wonderful life. My condolences to all. The Segura family
When I was little Barb Fresquez babysat me in her home, and Miss Penny would come sometimes to teach. She also was at the asthma camp with me. I loved being around her and always enjoyed my time with her. My condolences to her family. She was an amazing woman.
We are so very sorry for your significant loss! Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult and unimaginable time. Penny was special to so many, she will be incredibly missed by all that knew and loved her!! Our deepest and most sincere condolences to all the family and friends that loved and will miss her so!! Love, The Bershinskys