Obituary: Penaluna, Richard Laverne

Age 82

Wed., March 30, 2016

PENALUNA,
Richard
Laverne
(Age 82)

Went home to be with our Lord on March 28, 2016.

Richard was born in Hampton, IA, on July 2, 1933, to Ken and Gladys Penaluna.

He moved to Fargo, ND, in 1945.

There he attended Central High School where he met Marlys Frank and they were married in 1953.

They moved to Spokane, WA, in 1959.

He was a meat market manager for Rosauers for several years.

He started Penaluna Construction in 1972 and built homes.

In 1980, he added foundations and cement work.

He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church for 30 years and transferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in 1992.

He was an active member for 30 years plus of the Buttons & Bows Square Dance Club, also Square Wheelers International, and Jacks and Jenny’s.

He was also a member of the Vipers Car Club.

He was a Determined, Hardworking and inspirational Husband, Father and Grandfather, dedicated to always putting a smile on everyone else’s face.

He was preceded in death by a son Gary, brothers Ken and Joel Penaluna, and is survived by his wife Marlys; sons Rick and Randy; daughter-in-law Lauri; grandchildren Adria McGee, Ryan Penaluna, Rana, Tiffany and Brody Penaluna, seven great-grandchildren; brother Tom Penaluna; sister Jeri Bradley, sister and brother-in-law Beulah and Al Hillstrom, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016, 10am, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8441 N. Indian Trail Rd., Spokane, WA, 99208, with a reception to follow.

Inurnment at Spokane Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Donations may be sent to Hospice of Spokane, Caritas or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Online condolences at hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.