Obituary: Penelope Brook Claflin

Penelope Brook “Penny” Claflin, 82, of Sturgeon Bay, died Jan. 3, 2018 at the Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay. She was born April 19, 1935 in Gresham to Lawrence and Erma (Siebert) Hoffman, in the family apartment which was above her father’s drug store.

Penelope graduated from Gresham High School, class of 1953.  She loved small town Gresham and her high school friends.  She enjoyed marching in the high school band as the majorette. She was also a baton twirler for the Valparaiso University Marching Band. Penelope still had lots of friends from high school and college.

On Sept. 7, 1957 she married Neil Claflin in Gresham. He died Aug. 20, 1971.  Penelope was employed by Jim and Helen Jolin at Jolin’s Drug Store and she later worked for the Alpine Resort.  She was a long-time and active member of Salem Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School.

Penelope enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and her extended family. She especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s church events, athletic competitions, birthday parties, and school events.  Penelope loved cooking and baking for her family during the holidays and for special events.

Survivors include her three children and their spouses:  Brent, Tim (Margie), and Pete (Jamie); 9 grandchildren: Emily, Nathan, Reilly, Christian, Austin, Madelyn, Ryan, Sydney and Grace; sisters:  Karen Craig, Fennimore, WI; Deborah (John) Pieper, Green Bay, WI; Craig (Jan) Hoffman, Fort Wayne, IN; brother-in-law Calvin (Darlene) Claflin, Little Sturgeon, WI, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters-in-law, Katie (Rich) Ward, Jean (Charles) Hartman, brothers-in-law, Robert Craig, Warren (Kate) Claflin, Millie Claflin, father and mother-in-law, Connie and  Myrtle Claflin, nieces Jane Jacobs and her goddaughter Carrie (Claflin) Peterson; nephew, Andrew Claflin.

Funeral services will be 11 am Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 at Salem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Tod Vertz officiating. Burial will be in Stevenson Cemetery. Friends may call at the Forbes Funeral Home on Sunday from 3-7 pm and at the church on Monday from 10 am until the time of service. Online condolences may be offered at forbesfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church in her memory.

The family would like to thank all the people who supported Penelope during her illness. Thanks to Cardinal Ridge and Staff, Unity Hospice nurses and staff, Door County Medical Center Staff, the Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Care Teams, Dr. Richard Hogan, Pastors Tod Vertz and John Seelman for the wonderful care and support.