Penny Obrigewitch

Penny Obrigewitch, age 71 of Wibaux, Montana passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at her home in Wibaux. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Silha Funeral Home in Wibaux. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Wibaux with Father Jijo Alapatt officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Wibaux has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Penny was born on August 13, 1952 to her parents, Theodore "Ted" and Melva (Hamilton) Schaeffer in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Born to a ranching family, she received her early education throughout northwest South Dakota, primarily the Camp Crook area, before her family moved to Wibaux. Penny completed her secondary education in Wibaux, graduating from Wibaux County High School with the class of 1970. Following high school, Penny worked on the Smith Ranch south of Wibaux where she met Tom Obrigewitch. They were married on October 11, 1975 in St. Peter's Church in Wibaux. To this union three sons were born.
Penny stayed busy raising her young family, and as her boys got older she started working again. She worked as a dispatcher for Wibaux County, a teacher's aide in the Wibaux Schools, and in 1996 opened the Wibaux General Store with her long-time friend Pat Banister. At the age of 50, Penny furthered her commitment to her community by obtaining an Associates of Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana. In 2016, Penny put down her badges and retired from the Wibaux Country Sheriff's Department.
As a young lady, Penny loved horses and rodeoing with her friends and family. She was an avid reader and liked crocheting in her limited free time. Penny was an extremely hard worker and deeply patriotic, believing in the foundational values and promises of the United States. She lived her love and devotion of country through countless years of selfless service to the Wibaux County Ambulance Service and the Wibaux County Sheriff's office as well as the community of Wibaux.
Penny deeply loved and believed in the eternal grace of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She instilled this love in her sons, exemplifying her love by service to various ministries of the Catholic Church. Penny guided many youth in the formation of their own faith as an instructor in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD). Penny also served as a Special Eucharistic Minister, bringing Holy Communion to those community members that were unable to attend Mass.
Penny is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Leonard "Lenny" Schaeffer.
Penny is survived by her three sons, Beau Obrigewitch of Indian, Alaska; Ryan (Ashley) Obrigewitch of Winnett, Montana and Clayton Obrigewitch (Bob Cotton) of Merritt Island, Florida; four grandchildren: Tayt and Kaylee Obrigewitch and Lilah and Gia Obrigewitch; one sister and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memorial of Penny to the Wibaux County Senior Center, the Wibaux County Ambulance Service, or the Wound Warrior Project.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.