Obituary of Henrietta "Penny" Carroll

Penny's wishes were to be cremated and no services held. Henrietta "Penny" Carroll was born on March 6, 1919 in Hays, Kansas. She was the fifth child born to Josephine and Joseph Jacobs. She enjoyed telling friends that she was born prematurely. At only 3 pounds she was not expected to live more than a few days, yet she ended up out-living most of her friends and all but one of her 7 siblings. She never cared much for the name Henrietta. When she was young the song “Penny’s from Heaven” came out and everyone started calling her Penny and the name stuck. Penny grew up in Hays where she met her future husband. Prior to her marriage she worked and helped manage her family's drive-in. Everyone who knew her has enjoyed listening to her fond memories of the Country Club Special Drive-In. “CCS” where they made their own beer and sold the 1st BBQ Sandwich West of Kansas City. Cars would line up for blocks to get the new tasty sandwiches. Penny met her husband, Dean V. Carroll, in Hays while he was attending Fort Hays State University. They were married on February 20, 1941. They were blessed with a long, happy marriage and four children, Maryanne Carroll, Daniel Dean Carroll and Margaret Jean Carroll. A fourth son, Larry Dean, died shortly after birth. Penny and Dean built the Cheyenne Bar and Cafe in Cheyenne Wells where they both worked for several years. Penny also worked side-by-side with her husband and son to build the family farm. After purchasing the Trail-In Motel in Cheyenne Wells, Penny managed the day to day operations until her husband's health made it necessary for them to retire. Penny was a "people" person. She loved interacting with customers at the motel and often invited complete strangers into her home for coffee or a meal. Penny was a great cook and a conscientious wife and Mother. She ensured that her family had three, hot, delicious meals seven days per week. Nearly every Sunday after Mass friends were invited to the Carroll home to enjoy baked chicken and Penny's famous home-made noodles. Coffee and pastries were an afternoon tradition for many friends and neighbors at "Penny's house”. She was also an avid card and Bingo player and she enjoyed many hours of playing through the years with family and friends. She almost always won the family a Thanksgiving Turkey by playing Bingo! Penny spent most of her married life in Cheyenne Wells. After her husband died, she moved back to Hays to live with her sister, Shirley Brungardt. She returned to Cheyenne Wells in 2015. In October of 2016, Penny moved to Cheyenne Manor where she received professional and loving care for the last six months of her life. She celebrated her 98th birthday at the Manor 5 days prior to passing. Penny is preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Joseph, her husband Dean, her son Larry Dean, two sisters, Alice and Rosetta, and four brothers, Virgil, Cecil, Clifford and Fred. Survivors are her three children Maryanne, Daniel (Shanda), and Margaret Jean; six Grandchildren, Sara Streteski (Mitch), Megan Domingue (Daniel), Trevor Carroll (Catherine), Truett Box, Dena Bark (Michael) and Chad Schlosser, 8 Great Grandchildren, her sister Shirley Brungardt and numerous nieces and nephews. Penny was well prepared to join her Heavenly Father and to reunite with the family and friends she missed dearly! She will be missed by those she left behind who loved her and appreciated her warmth and witty sense of humor.