Penny Jean Riesland was born August 26, 1952 to Elmo and Jean Riesland in the little house at Ridge, Montana, with Grandma Madden attending. Penny attended country school at Bowers school for first grade, Biddle school for second grade, then Ridge school through eighth grade. Penny graduated from Powder River High School in Broadus, Montana in 1970.
Penny became the hub of the family circle, receiving and passing on any news regarding family happenings. She became the family historian, remembering her siblings, nieces and nephews’ birthdays and other special occasions. She kept the family photos and listened to all the hurts and pains, as well as the joys and celebrations! Penny loved every member of the family, regardless of circumstances and prayed for all of us. She was a blessing to all who knew her.
She accepted Christ as her Savior as a child and followed Jesus wholeheartedly the rest of her life. She was a member of the Wesleyan church, and faithfully attended and supported the church at Ridge, and then at Biddle. She was also a faithful member of Ridge Camp. Penny acted as treasurer for the Biddle church for many years. Penny played the piano by ear and sang. She often accompanied other family members for specials at church. She did what she could for Lord, including acting as treasurer for the Biddle Church and cooking for shared Sunday meals following church services.
Following high school Penny chose ranching as a career and participated in all aspects of life on the ranch. On the ranch, everyone worked hard including Penny. Penny especially loved riding horses and was a great horsewoman. Her favorite horse was Hobo, soon after buying him, she considered selling him; but he quickly became her favorite. She also enjoyed working outside on the ranch. Elmo called Penny “the peacemaker” when the family was young. She tried to keep the peace whenever there was a loud or even physical disagreement.
Due to a ranch accident in January 1986, Penny experienced life-changing paraplegia. Her mother cared for Penny’s personal needs until her mother’s passing. Then Patty and Barbie learned and worked together to provide personal care for Penny. Many of her nieces and nephews loved to sit on her lap, she would let them drive her wheel chair and they had a blast! To the younger ones, she was a pseudo mom and was always special to them. Penny loved gardening. She also took to the inside activity of sewing. Every family member benefitted from this, especially the quilts she made. Every summer Patty prepared the garden for Penny. Even in her wheelchair Penny planted, harvested, and canned produce with Patty’s help.
Penny always trusted God would heal her, always going forward for prayer in healing services. A couple days after her death, her six-year-old grandniece awoke from a nap and told her mom, “I just saw Penny walking Twixy (Twixy was Penny’s dog)”. Those words from a child’s vision express Penny’s reality now. Penny is walking all over heaven without any limits.
Last summer at the Riesland family reunion, Penny requested that we have an Elmo Riesland Family Reunion. She wanted us all to get together and just visit, enjoying each other’s company. It feels bittersweet that we are here, together, now, to honor her memory. We are so much richer because of the love she shared with all of us.
Together in death on January 18, 2025, were Penny Jean Riesland, Patty Rae Riesland, and Barbara Jean Riesland. Preceding Penny in death were Elmo and Jean Riesland, parents, Laura Ruth Riesland, sister, and Jonathan and Andrew Trouten, nephews.
Survivors include siblings Clark (Ruby) Riesland, Pamela Riesland, Polly (Bruce) Ashland, Curt (Miriam) Riesland, and Priscilla (Adrian) Timmons and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and cousins.
Even without having children of her own, she acted as if each one of the kids were one of hers, not taking anything away from the other parents but still loving and caring for them as if each of them were her own with the love and understanding that only a parent would have. Her great nieces and nephews were more like grandchildren to them and the love and care, along with the example she set will never be forgotten.
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Judy Denson-Keller says
Clark, Pam, Polly, Curt, Priscilla and families, Words can’t even begin to describe how my heart aches for all of you. I first met Penny when I spent the first of many weekends with the Rieslands. Penny always had the most beautiful smile and had the sweetest, sunniest disposition ever known. There were a lot of good memories made during those weekends. Penny had a beautiful singing voice and was so good with babies. I remember when she soothed a fussy baby during church. Even though we departed ways, I often thought of and still do think of the Rieslands. I am happy that Penny is now able to walk again and take ‘Walks with TWIXY!’. Penny was a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. May she REST IN PEACE! 🕊️
George W Ferguson says
To the Family, Friends and Neighbors the little boy in me that left the area so many years ago. May our God’s Grace and Mercy fill your hearts with an abundance of FAITH, Joy and comfort in His promises of our hereafter. TIL we meet again