Penelope "Penny" Alice (Morton) Schulke passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, one month short of 85 years old.

Penny was born in Bismarck, ND on June 2, 1938 to Victor and Verda Schmaltz. Penny had one sister (Vicki) and two half brothers (Rodney and James Morton).

In 1956, Penny’s family moved to Aurelia, Iowa where she finished her secondary education and attended Buena Vista University, receiving her teaching certificate. In 1958, Penny and Douglas Schulke were married and Penny taught school to help her husband through Veterinary School. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Todd, Tracey (died in infancy), and Bradd.

Penny and her family moved to Ida Grove, Iowa in 1966 and lived there until 1999 when they retired and moved to Mimbres, NM. She enjoyed 25 years of retirement.

We remember her reading and deliberating over her scripture daily and offering sympathy and encouragement to anyone in need. Penny was short in stature (4’9’’ 3/16’’) and took a lot of teasing about it in a lighthearted way with her big heart.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, stepfather (Lynus Morton), sister, and two half-brothers.

Survivors include her husband, two sons, and three grandsons, Arana, Sammy, and Robin.

A Memorial Service will be held for Penny on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at eleven o’clock in the morning at Messiah Luther Church in Silver City, NM. Reverend Joseph Pellegrino will preside.