Elmer James Penkava, 90, of Table Rock, Nebraska was born on June 15, 1925, east of Pawnee City, Nebraska  to Frank and Antonia Rose (Vetrovsky) Penkava.  He spent his early grade school years west of Pawnee City and graduated from the 8th grade at District #49 Hill Crest, north of Table Rock.  Elmer helped on the family farm until 1945 when he went to work for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) until 1953.

On April 16, 1953, Elmer was united in marriage to Dorothy Gilbert in Falls City, Nebraska.  To this union one son, Rick was born.  Elmer and Dorothy started their married life together 3 and half miles southeast of Table Rock and moved 5 miles north of Table Rock in 1957.  Their final move on the farm was to 3 and half miles northwest of Table Rock in 1970.  They made this farm their home until retirement in December of 1997, when they moved to their current home in Table Rock.

Elmer and Dorothy farmed together for 45 years raising registered Polled Hereford cattle and growing corn, soybeans, milo and wheat.  When the farming economy down turned in the mid 1980’s Elmer went to work for the soil conservation service (SVC) for several years.  At the same time to help supplement the farm income, he started working at his second love… Small engine repair.  For the first twelve years the shop was located on the family farm until Elmer purchased the former locker building in Table Rock in 1998 and moved into that location.  Elmer continued to work at his shop until his passing.  Elmer believed in being a part of the Table Rock community.  Over the years he served on the Table Rock school board for 4 years, the Farmers Union Coop board for 8 years, the Pawnee County Rural Water board for 10 years and the Table Rock Village board for 10 years.

Elmer passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015 in Table Rock, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of ninety years, four months, and a day.  He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Edgar and Mary Gilbert, brothers: Vic, Frank, Jerry, and Ed, sisters: Emilie, Millie, and Irene, brothers-in-law: Noah, Louis, Karl, Art, Otto, Ernie, Edward, Wilber, George, Kenneth, and Dwain, sisters-in-law: Frances, Grace, Olivia, Agnes, Irma, Darlene, Lucille and Ida, and several nieces and nephews.

Elmer is survived by his loving wife of 63 and a half years Dorothy Penkava of Table Rock, NE; son Rick Penkava and his wife Emma of Alliance, NE; grandchildren: Eric Boltz of Salina, KS; Sara (Tanner) DeCamillo of Pagosa Springs, CO; brothers: Lester Penkava of Omaha, NE; Alfred (Erma Jean) Penkava of Beatrice, NE; sisters: Helen Holeman of Hiawatha, KS; Elma Lee Bucholz of Table Rock, NE; brother-in-law Pete (Dot) Gilbert of Pawnee City, NE; sisters-in-law Delores Gilbert of Table Rock, NE; Delores Penkava of Table Rock, NE; numerous nieces, nephews, and countless customers and friends. 

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at The Wherry Mortuary in Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. - 8p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015, at The Wherry Mortuary in Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Inurnment will be at the Table Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family’s choice.

Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-Pawnee City, Nebraska (402) 852-2387