Penelope K. "Penni" Sutherland

2 Timothy 4: 7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Penelope "Penni" Kay (Scherreiks) Sutherland went home to be with Jesus Christ on January 11, 2025.
Penni was born with her contagious smile and laugh to Christine (Griffin) Scherreiks and Peter Scherreiks on May 3rd, 1966, in Tomah, Wisconsin. She grew up in the Warrens area, where she spent her childhood playing with her siblings, cousins, and neighbors.
Penni was a member of the Tomah High School graduating class of 1984. It was during high school that she fell in love with Lon. Lon and Penni were united in marriage on June 22, 1985, in a backyard wedding surrounded by their family and friends. Lon and Penni shared a beautiful love as they continuously honored and lived out the marriage vows, they made to each other. Penni was a devoted mother to her three children: Cody, Liza, and Skyler. She spent many years loving, supporting, encouraging, and caring for her children as she raised them in Christ's teachings.
Shortly after graduating high school, Penni worked as an administrative assistant at Chitwood Nicol & Matthews dental office until becoming a mother. Her primary focus in life was always raising her three children and helping Lon on the cranberry marsh. As her children grew, she went to drive school bus for the Tomah Area School District. This is where her kindness for God's children shined brightly for every student on her route. During this time, she also painted the interior of houses with her sister-in-law Jolene. In 2003, she went to work at Universal Forest Products in the office. She then went on to work at Lambert Forest Products and The Berry Vine before returning to Universal Forest Products until she retired early due to her health.
As a young adult, Penni's life changed forever when she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and lord. She was often praying, reading the Bible, worshiping, helping others, and offering words of encouragement to anyone in need. She would listen to Christian music for hours to praise God for all the blessings in her life. Penni was a faithful servant to the end, never wavering in her faith as her body failed. She undoubtedly entered the Kingdom of Heaven with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Many will use her testimony for years to come.
Penni lived every day with joy that radiated to everyone around her. She always loved to read a good book, take a long walk, paint and then repaint a room, and spend time in her gardens tending to her flowers and plants. Penni loved to bake and kept a supply of her famous chocolate chip cookies in the freezer. Her home was always open to any niece, nephew, neighbor kid, or friend who needed a loving place to visit. Above all, Grandma Penni loved how her spirited grandchildren made her laugh. She enjoyed reading, playing, snuggling, telling stories, and teaching them about Jesus so they can join her in Heaven someday.
She is survived by her husband, Lon; her children, Cody (Kelly) Sutherland, Liza (Jake) Kubelt, and Skyler Sutherland; her grandchildren, Grant, Elijah, and Hannah Sutherland, Dominik, Nora, and Charlotte Kubelt; Arik and Lilyana Sutherland; her siblings Heidi (Bruce) Drangstveit, Jeff Scherreiks, Rhonda Scherreiks, and Stacey Donskey.; and her stepfather, John Dunahee.
She is further survived by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Gale Sutherland; her sister-in-law Jolene (Dave) Keene, brother-in-law Scott (Terry) Sutherland and brother-in-law Andrew (Kerry) Sutherland; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Christine Dunahee and Peter Scherreiks.
The family would like to thank Jolene Keene, Rhonda Scherreiks, Heidi Drangstviet, the staff at Liberty Village, Tomah Nursing Rehab Center, and St. Croix Hospice for all their loving care during the last years of her life here on Earth.
A Celebration of Penni's life will be held on February 8th, 2025, at the Warrens Log Building from 11 am-4 pm, with a service starting at 11:30 AM. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com