William "Bill" Henry Peno

William Henry Peno, fondly known as “Bill,” was born April 19, 1939 in Saint Paul, MN.  At age nine, his family moved to a farm in Rush City, and he graduated from Rush City High School in 1957. Bill received his B.A. degree from St. Cloud State University in 1961.

Bill fell in love with Jean Pitreski, and they were married February 2, 1963 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hinckley. He was employed at the Cambridge Regional Center for his entire career, first as an Industrial Arts instructor, and later as a Client Supervisor. Bill became a member of the Farm Bureau after retirement.

Bill was an inventor, builder, teacher, farmer, forester, sportsman, outdoorsman, conservationist, traveler and storyteller. He was constantly occupied with a task and didn’t sit still for long: growing, maintaining and harvesting crops, repairing farm equipment and fences, raising cattle, trimming trees, chopping firewood for the winter fuel source, and day-to-day operations of the farm kept Bill occupied.

Bill enjoyed his retreats to the rustic family cabin built for the wilderness pleasures of hunting, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking and berry picking; he kept a journal of every visit. He loved canoeing, hiking, and fishing in the Boundary Waters and various state parks as well as downhill skiing in the rugged mountain ranges in the United States and the Swiss Alps. He also looked forward to planning the yearly bicycle treks with family and friends on various trails throughout Minnesota.

Bill traveled with Jean to numerous countries and most of the fifty United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. He always took delight in the opportunity to polka or square dance with Jean. In his later years, he took pleasure in conversations and coffee with friends at the local bakery.

Bill taught all that when you put your mind to a task, there is nothing you can’t do, and he was a role model in that regard. If he needed custom equipment, he built it, accessing his mechanical, welding, woodworking and design talents. If an item needed repair, he would most likely find a way to fix it himself. He was a master of ingenuity.

Bill died Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the age of 79.

He is survived by his wife Jean Peno of Rush City; children Valerie (Alan) Simays of Slinger, WI., Sharlene (Mark) Jennissen of Miltona, Dudley (Lori) Peno of North Branch; grandchildren: Rachel, Abigail, Zachariah, Jacob, Jacqueline, Avery, Aaron, Nathan and John; step-grandchildren: Eric, Cody, Corina, Tina, Christopher and Cassandra; brother Robert “Bob” (Karen Nytes) Peno of Hackensack; sisters Susan (Gary) Meyer of Longville, Kathleen (Dennis) Clarke of Steilacoom, WA. 

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Henry Gust and Anna “Irene” (McManus) Peno; and sister-in-law Dorothy Peno.

Father Chuck Brambilla will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Bill: 10:30 AM; Friday, January 11, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 3-7 PM; Thursday, January 10, 2019 with a Rosary at 6:30 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is also planned for one hour prior to the Mass at the church. The interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Rush City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the:
Funeral And Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel www.FuneralAndCremationService.com