Mabel Christine (Katie) Pentney, 91

Mabel Christine (Katie) Pentney
Mabel Christine Amundsen was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, January 25th, 1917. Her parents, Kristian Olaus Amundsen and Johanne Losneslokken had immigrated to the United States from Norway. When she was an infant, the family moved to Canada and settled in McInnes Creek. She had one brother, Amund, and three sisters, Mary, Tillie and Olive (who died in childhood).
At the age of sixteen, she went to work for Bill Olson on the Lake. There she met Ernie Pentney, and he told his mother that he had just the hired girl for her. So Katie worked for his mother until she and Ernie married in October 1935.
She moved out to an island with her young husband, where they made a living commercial fishing. They had three children (Ruth, Leland, Carole) there and then they moved to Minahico when the older children started school. Two more children were born while in Minahico (Don and Ken). About 1944, they moved to a new home set along the Rainy River where two more children were born (Karen and Buddy).
Katie worked at various tourist camps where her cooking was legendry. She later worked at Dalseg's Store in Morson.
She bought the old hospital in Rainy River where she rented rooms to new teachers and rural students, many of whom became like her own children.
Ernie and Katie bought the property at the Lighthouse in 1974 and happily semi-retired (?).
Daughter Carole died of cancer in 1984. Ernie died in 1989 of cancer. After Ernie died, Katie created a museum of the Lighthouse, collecting original artifacts of life on the Lake.
In 1996 Katie married Lloyd McDougall and they had three lovely years together spending winters in Mississippi and summers at the Lake.
Buddy was accidently killed in a snowmobile accident in 1998. Lloyd died suddenly in the spring of 2000. Donny died of cancer in 2003.
The joys of her life were her 23 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 3 great - great grandchildren. Her flower gardens were glorious and she looked forward all winter to the time when she could get her fingers in the dirt. This spring at the age of 91, she was still able to plant all her gardens and flower pots by herself.
Funeral services were held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland on Saturday, September 6, 2008 with Carolyn Kreger officiating. Music played by Laurie Pentney. Eulogies were given by grandchildren Michael Brett and Corinne Berman.
Pallbearers were Wendy Berman, Jeff Brett, Michael Brett, Roger Brett, Teresa Desserre, Becky Pentney, Chris Pentney. Allison Pollard, Jacoba Samari. Interment was at the Morson Cemetery.
In memoriam donations may be sent to Rainy River District Women's Institute Museum or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Grandma,
There is so much to say but it will not fit on this card so I’ll make it short but sweet.
I am honoured that you are my Grandmother and blessed that I was chosen to be your granddaughter
Your teachings have been with patience and understanding.
Your sense of humour has been in good spirit and kindness.
Your love has been unconditional.
Your cinnamon buns, a baking perfection which I have yet to duplicate.
Grandma, there are three things that I wish for you with all my heart
First, I wish you a wonderful journey to your final home.
Second, I wish you a joyous reunion with your parents, siblings and loved ones who have gone before you.
And my third wish for you is PEACE.

Forever grateful, Jocelyn

EULOGY FOR KATIE PENTNEY
Jan. 25, 1917-- Sept. 04, 2008

By Corinne Berman
(granddaughter)

Grandma Katie was an incredible person who touched so many people’s lives.
She knew so much about so many people because above all she was an attentive listener. When you talked with her she was 100% focused on what you were saying and genuinely interested in what was happening in your life. You always felt that you were so special when you were talking to her. That’s why although she had 23 Grandchildren (and almost double that if you count their wives and husbands) and 39 great grand children, she actually knew then as individuals, relishing their stories and celebrating all their mile stones.
While grandma’s life was filled with many joyous occasions, it was also marred by tragic losses. These losses never caused her to become bitter, likely because of her immensely strong faith in GOD. She never complained about her lot in life but rather enjoyed living life. She taught me how to except the things that were beyond my control and how to rise above these challenges to still look at each day as a gift. After my mom Carole passed away, Grandma became my touch stone and the person I turned to first when I was confused, sad, happy or just needed a shoulder to lean on. She was my friend and mentor. And, never once did she disappoint me.
Grandma will be remembered for many things but the things I will remember most are;
-her world renowned cinnamon rolls (no one could make them like grandma did)
-how she could make any place a home with lace curtains and her special touches
-her incredible love for every flower on this earth
-how where ever she lived, at the Lake, in Biloxi, in Rainy River and Bergland her gardens were a fabulous sight to behold
- how she turned everything into another garden, be it an old canoe, a washbasin or a wheelbarrow
-how she loved to feed and watch her birds
-how she took pride in Lake of the Woods and especially the lighthouse-how she always said and believed “ a card and a hanky is all you need”
-her passion in causes, like repairing Hwy 621, and how she always did something about it rather than just complaining.
-her gorgeous hand embroidered quilts that many a grandchild snuggle under every night
-her knit mittens that she made by the hundreds
-her pride in her Norwegian heritage
- her love and respect for family and friends
- how straight she always stood. “it hurts as much to slouch as it does to stand tall” Grandma would tell us.
-her cookie jar that was always full
-how she desperately wanted snow white hair
-her grace and dignity
- and most of all her gentle touch
I think my 6 year old son summed it up best when he said, “Grandma Katie has so many nice things in her soul.”