Karmen Jean Penfold

Kay was born October 25, 1924 on a dairy farm near Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado to Ernest William Sauer and Hazel Jane Midcap. She departed this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, July 12, 2019, in Greeley, Colorado. Kay always cherished her time growing up on the farm with her loving parents, three sisters and one brother. There was never a dull moment. They would swim often at Sand Hill Lake which was close by, ice skate on their pond, side down the hill on their sled and whatever happened next. Country life was wonderful! Kay attended Vollmar School her first eight years. Attending a country school was quite an experience. Kay played soft ball with outlying schools and challenged these same schools at a track meet each spring. Their teachers always found hobbies, sports and other activities which would be of interest to the student. She then moved on to Fort Lupton High School. She served as vice president of her Freshman class and as a librarian through these years when asked by her English teacher. She was also co-chairman for the student body her senior year. She graduated in 1942. She started her career early in life working for The Whiteside Real Estate and Insurance Firm from the beginning of her junior year in high school. World War II began during her senior year. She was privileged to be able to help the inductees with their questionnaires while preparing for duty in the Armed Forces. Whiteside’s opened their office for this noble cause. After graduation, they sent her to Denver where she was employed by the Northwestern National Insurance Company. While there, she furthered her education by taking business courses. Eventually, she returned to Fort Lupton to work for the Draft Board. On June 6, 1943, James (Jim) and Karmen were married shortly before Jim left for Southern California to join the Marine Corps. Four months later he was severely burned in a forest fire his Company Commander unofficially sent them to contain. Kay left immediately to be with Jim during his two-month hospital stay in San Diego. Kay remained in the Los Angeles area to be near Jim’s relatives. She worked for Union Oil Company as a lab technician. After nearly two years, Jim left for overseas duty, and Kay returned home. For twenty-three years Kay was employed by Great Western Sugar Company as a lab technician during their sugar campaigns. She worked for the 1960 Census Bureau as an enumerator for the Town of Fort Lupton. In 1970 she was a crew leader for much of Weld County. Kay was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton. She and Jim worked with the youth many years especially when their sons were involved. She was a member of the Pastor Parish Committee for many years. After moving to Greeley some thirty years ago, they were involved in other denominations as well. Her greatest joy has been her Lord and her wonderful immediate and extended family. Her interests were fishing, boating and camping with Jim and the boys and their families. Sports and activities for her children and grandchildren took her many places. Travelling was a grand pastime. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 73-years, James L. Penfold, Jr. her son Pastor James Lowell Penfold, and sister, June Dailey. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Gordon Everett Penfold (Beth) of Eaton and Gregory Andrew Penfold (Meredith) of Rock Springs, Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Marian Penfold of Greeley, Colorado; Her surviving grandchildren are Rebekah Meeker, Rachel Delventhal, Gretchen Peterson, Amy Penfold-Rutz, Heidi Schuh, James Penfold, David Penfold, and Benjamin Penfold, and 17-great grandchildren. She is also survived by Wanda Stockwell of Colorado Springs, Florence Horne of Modesto, California, and her brother, Everett Sauer of Grand Junction. Kay was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton Her greatest joy has been her Lord and her wonderful immediate and extended family. Her interests were fishing, boating and camping with Jim and the boys and their families. Sports and activities for her children and grandchildren took her many places. Traveling was a grand pastime. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 73-years, James L. Penfold, Jr. her son Pastor James Lowell Penfold, and sister, June Dailey. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Gordon Everett Penfold (Beth) of Eaton and Gregory Andrew Penfold (Meredith) of Rock Springs, Wyoming, by her grandchildren Rebekah Meeker, Rachel Delventhal, Gretchen Peterson, Amy Penfold-Rutz, Heidi Schuh, James Penfold, David Penfold, and Benjamin Penfold, and 17-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Wanda Stockwell of Colorado Springs, Florence Horne of Modesto, California, and her brother, Everett Sauer of Grand Junction. Services include Interment 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019 at Sunset Memorial Gardens followed by Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at Adamson Life Celebration Home. Memorials gifts may be given through Adamson Life Celebration Home for "Turnaround Pastor, Inc"., a ministry led by son Gordon.