Penny Harvey, 80, of Akron, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Akron. There will be a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Visitation with family present will begin at 4:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Thursday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City, Iowa.

Penny Virginia Blum was born on December 29, 1943 to Edmund and Virginia (Parks) Blum in Sioux City, Iowa. She was raised in Akron; she attended St. Joseph Catholic School through the 8th grade and graduated from Akron High School. She then attended the University of South Dakota for two years.

Penny was united in marriage to James 'Jim' Harvey on August 3, 1963 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron. They lived on a farm in rural South Dakota for five years before moving to a farm in Iowa.

Penny worked at Security National Bank at the Stockyards, Sears & Roebuck in Le Mars, and R&D Variety in Akron. Her dream job was volunteering and working for Hospice of Siouxland where she was able to comfort so many families.  Penny made many long-time friends at Hospice of Siouxland; they would get together for 'girls only' afternoons where they loved to drink wine and dance.

Penny volunteered as a 4-H leader for many years. She was a long-time member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she was a church sponsor for those joining the Catholic church. She also was a member of Catholic Daughters and had a special connection with the Carmelite nuns in Sioux City. On July 15, 2006, she received the secular order of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City.

Penny loved to dance; she and Jim would dance at various dance halls in the area. She loved to play cards and was a member of several card clubs. She and Jim enjoyed riding motorcycles, going on fishing trips, and entertaining family and friends. Penny also loved to drink wine and go shopping with her sister, Iola.

Penny was a kind and generous woman who was happiest when she was helping others. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Penny is survived by her three children: Brad (Chris) Harvey of Akron, IA, Sonya (Mark) Eskra of Ames, IA, and Chad (Sarah) Harvey of Akron, IA; eight grandchildren: Kelsie (Tony) Reuter of Plymouth, MN, Marissa (Jeremiah) Fuller of Kansas City, MO, Monica (Mick) Sitzmann of Hinton, IA, Natalie Harvey of Akron, IA, Eric (Hannah) Eskra of Davenport, IA, Cory (Mia) Eskra of Sarasota, FL, Cal (Hailey) Eskra of Altoona, IA, and Connor Harvey of Akron, IA; ten great grandchildren: Sloane and Beau Reuter, Will, Faye, and Claire Fuller, Veda and Maren Sitzmann, and Shepherd, Jack, and Everett Eskra; sister, Iola (Bob) Frerichs of Akron, IA; siblings in law: Sharon McPherson of Fort Dodge, IA, Duane (Alvina) Harvey of Baltic, SD, Linda (Stan) Rolfes of Akron, IA, Nancy Sveegen of Beresford, SD, and Doug (Tamara) Harvey of Casper, WY; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Penny is preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Virginia Blum; parents in law, Donald and Eleanor (Stene) Harvey; husband, James Harvey; brothers in law: Fred McPherson and LeRoy Sveegen.