Linda Pennanen

In Loving Memory of Linda Gayle Pennanen

"A soul so gentle, laughter so kind-forever in our hearts, never left behind."

Linda Gayle Pennanen, age 81, gracefully departed this world on August 9, 2025, leaving behind a legacy woven with compassion, quiet strength, and a humor that lifted every room she entered.

Linda was born in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma, on December 5, 1943, to Milton and Christeen O'Bleness. Raised with a strong foundation of love and values, she graduated from El Reno High School and continued her education at Rose State College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma, ultimately earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Born under Oklahoma skies and cradled by the values of love, loyalty, and service, Linda lived a life marked by grace in both word and deed. She served as a dedicated secretary at Tinker Air Force Base with the B1bomber group, a role that echoed her deep sense of duty and precision, always the steady hand behind the scenes.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Though her parents, older brother Eddie O'Bleness, husband Richard Pennanen, son Brent Shreck, and step-son Ross Pennanen went before her, their memories lived in her laughter and her stories.

Linda is survived by many of her cherished family: her younger brother, Tony O'Bleness and his wife Debbie; her younger sister, Sue Presnell; her devoted daughter, Lisa Saldivar, and husband Adan; step-daughter, Janet Pennanen; grandchildren Jenna Hansen and husband Clayton, Alec Saldivar, Gage Pennanen, Dennise Lucio, and Stephen Kolar; great-grandchildren Beckett Hansen, Jesse Peña, Jose Lucio, Jayden Lucio, and Ross Pennanen; great-great-grandson Armando Lucio; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A true lover of simple joys, Linda found delight in the pages of a good book, dancing, music, the unfolding mysteries of NCIS, the plot of a good movie, belly laughs during game nights, and the wind on her face during trike rides with her husband prior to his passing. These moments, small yet profound, were her poems, written not with ink, but with the living of each day.

Her spirit was stitched with kindness, her words laced with wit. Linda had a way of listening that made you feel heard and cared about. She loved deeply, laughed easily, and gave endlessly, never asking for recognition, only hoping to brighten someone else's day.

We will honor Linda's life at a memorial service on Thursday, August 14th at 11:00 a.m. at Barnes-Friederich & Pope Funeral Home, located at 305 S. Sooner Rd., Midwest City, OK 73110. The casket will be open for viewing beginning at 9:00 a.m., and briefly at the end of service.

Following the ceremony, Linda will be laid to rest in the quiet peace of Carney with family that have gone before her, a final ride to a resting place among the Oklahoma soil she so dearly loved.

May her memory be a blessing. May her laugh echo in our hearts. And may the road rise up to meet her, now and always.