NICKERSON – Penny Rochelle Gitchell, 73, died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. She was born July 12, 1943, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Dennis Samuel and Ruth Arlene (Hungerford) Berridge.

She graduated from Nickerson High School in 1961 and Hutchinson Community College in 1963. Penny worked in the family grocery store, Berridge IGA, in Nickerson for several years; she also served as a Nickerson City librarian and councilman. She retired as a secretary for USD 309 at Nickerson High School, serving 20 years.

She was a member of Nickerson United Methodist Church, PEO Chapter Q, Nickerson, and a former Idona Club member. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed teaching her granddaughters how to sew.

On July 14, 1963, Penny married Harlan David Gitchell at the Nickerson United Methodist Church. He died Feb. 20, 2015. She is survived by: her children, Brian and Ashley of Nickerson, Martin and Amy of Breezy Point, Minn., Carmon Unruh and Darrin of Pretty Prairie; siblings, Brad Berridge and Janis, Pam Misunas and Jim, all of Nickerson, Denise Ziegler and Darrell Hufferd of Maize; sister-in-law, Jaci Gitchell of Arlington; nine grandchildren, Logan, Ally, Rylee and Cale Gitchell of Nickerson, Eloise, Gray and Owen Gitchell of Breezy Point, Minn., and Pepper and Gabi Unruh of Pretty Prairie; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, at Nickerson United Methodist Church with the Reverend Melissa Naylor presiding. Inurnment will follow in Wildmead Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. with family present Sunday at the church.

Memorial gifts may be made to the church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.