Penny M. Cherwenka Steinfest, age 45, of Poy Sippi, WI, fought a long, hard battle with cancer and on July 27, 2015, she won that battle. Penny was born on December 1, 1969 in Merrill to the late Edward and Betty (Davis) Cherwenka. She attended and graduated from Merrill High School.
During her adult years, she worked at Milestone Materials / Mathy as a scale operator for many years. Penny was also self-employed with T&P for 18 years, selling Christmas trees and flowers.
To Penny, her daughters were her world. She adored her girls and would spend as much time with them as possible. Penny was a “Cheer Mom” for her daughters while they were playing sports for school and she was their biggest fan! Being the loving and caring person that she was, Penny would put her girls and the rest of her family first at all times. Penny enjoyed 4-H and spending time with her family on their hobby farm with their horses, puppies and kittens. She would enjoy taking four-wheeler rides around the hobby farm, enjoying nature and her animals. Penny would often enjoy spending beautiful days riding on a Harley with Erik. She was a proud member of the Winona Co. Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Search & Rescue. Penny was a strong woman, and fought her battle with courage and strength. She will be sadly missed.
Penny is survived by her boyfriend: Erik Proehl and his son, Chance Proehl of Poy Sippi; her three daughters: Samantha Steinfest, Amanda Steinfest and Melinda Steinfest, all of Merrill; her beloved friend: Tim Steinfest of Merrill; her grandson: Colton Lee; sister: Wendy (Dave) Bartz of Wautoma, WI; brother: Jodi Cherwenka of Minnetonka, MN; nephews: Jeremy Bartz and Christopher Bartz; and niece: Shannon Bartz. Penny was preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Betty (Davis) Cherwenka.
Funeral Services for Penny will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 2pm at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 and will begin at 11am and continue until the time of the service, also held at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. Pastor Gregory Laska will officiate. Burial will be at Snow Hill Cemetery following the service. Donations may be made in Penny’s name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.