Penny Ann Kiefer

1958 - 2025

Penny Ann (Peterson) Kiefer

June 11, 1958 - July 17, 2025

PORTAGE - Penny Ann (Peterson) Kiefer passed away on July 17, 2025, after a 5 ½ yearlong battle with cancer. Her loving family was by her side. She was born on June 11, 1958, in Poynette, Wisconsin, in Dr. Focke's hometown hospital. She was baptized Lutheran on April 23, 1959, on her grandparent's farm in New Haven Township. May 21st, 1972, she was confirmed at the Presbyterian Church of Portage. She graduated from Portage High class of 1976. She then went on to Madison Area Technical College in Law Enforcement. She completed her academy training at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, where she was selected as president of her class

Penny was the first female police officer for the City of Portage. She was with the department from 1978 to 2016. She had been promoted to lieutenant in 1990 and held that rank until a shoulder injury forced her into retirement. When you asked her why she wanted to be a police officer she would humbly say, "I think I can make a difference." She loved her job and the people that she worked with and, just as importantly, she loved her community and the people she served. Penny took so much pride being "Portage-17", so it was very fitting that she passed on July 17th.

Penny was a member of Kiwanis Club of Portage, served twice as president, and twice was named Outstanding Kiwanian. She was also a member of Portage Elks Lodge #675. In 2013, she was named Portage's Person of the Year. She sat on several boards including the Salvation Army, Portage Summer Lunch Food Program, the Pregnancy Resource Center, and Portage Youth, Inc. She was a former member of the Wisconsin Association for Women Police, where she received the top honor a woman officer could receive in the State of Wisconsin.

She is survived by her two children, Melissa Kiefer, Pardeeville and Matthew (Jennifer) Kiefer and their children, Josie Rose and Eve Marie Kiefer, Portage; her mother, Betty M. Peterson; her father and stepmother, Peter A. and Mary Peterson, all of Portage; and her fiancé, David J. Pratt. Penny took great pride in being the oldest of nine children and always liked things in chronological order. She is further survived by her siblings, Peter A. Peterson, Jr., Reedsburg, Michael E. (Gail) Peterson, Portage, Michelle A. (Scott) Commings, Lodi, Andrew P. (Kippi) Peterson, Portage, Andrea A. (John) Hook, Indiana, Hans C. (Holly) Peterson, Portage, Scott L. (Lisa) Peterson, Rio, and Stacci A. (Craig) Blau, Merrimac. She is further survived by 17 nieces and nephews and 13 great nieces and nephews; and her godparents; Aunt Helen (Ken) Hoege, Wisconsin Dells; many cousins and other near relatives; and so many very close friends.

Penny was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Ethel (Cross) McQueen and Paulman and Joyce (Burtis) Peterson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at in Portage, Portage Presbyterian Church, 120 W. Pleasant St, Portage, with Rev. David Hankins officiating. Burial will be at Newport Lutheran Church following the service. Visitation will be at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made and sent to Portage Youth, Inc., W9310 Gunderson Dr., Portage, WI 53901.

The family would like to thank all of her special friends who came to visit - you all meant so much to her, as well as Agrace Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Portage Police Department for honoring Penny in such a special way.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home (www.pmmfh.com) are handling the arrangements.