Pauline Louise Hennings

Pauline “Polly” Louise (Pennell) Hennings died at the age of 89 on Saturday, June 29 at her home in Ritzville.

She was born on Dec. 28, 1923, to Claude and Anna (Duffy) Pennell in a farm home near Hay, Wash.

She attended McNeilly School when the family moved to Wilcox and upon a later move, graduated from Prescott High School in 1941. She attended Washington State College until 1943. She worked at Falkenberg’s Jewelry Store in Walla Walla, and later as an assistant teacher in Harlem, New York.

She graduated from University of Washington in 1947. Following graduation, she was hired as the executive director of the Columbia Basin Girl Scout Council. She married John Hennings on Jan. 9, 1954 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and lived in the Carico Hills area of Adams County until her passing.

She taught junior high at the Ritzville School District from 1972-1982. She was a member of PEO Ritzville Chapter AR and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was named Cattlewoman of the Year by Adams County Cattlewomen, 1980 Lady of the Year by Ritzville Beta Sigma Phi Chapter and was a charter member of Washington Ag Forestry program.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John on Feb. 2, 2012; sisters, Marie (Pennell) Hart, Hazel (Pennell) Jacobson; and brother, Bobby Pennell.

She is survived by brother, Lee (Carole) Pennell of Walla Walla; brother-in-law, Richard (Jake) Jacobson of Walla Walla; daughter, Mary Lou (Steve) Courchaine of Newman Lake; and son, Ronald John (Ann) Hennings of Sprague; grandchildren, Jared (Rebecca) Taylor of Oklahoma City, Okla., Sarah Courchaine of Chandler, Ariz., Chase Courchaine of Houston, Texas, and Heather, Hugh and Heidi Hennings of Sprague; numerous nieces and nephews; and life long friend, Dena Freese Roberts and her family of Bellevue.

Danekas Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Services were held Tuesday, July 9, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville. The family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice. Later, private internment is planned.