Memorial
Penelope Ann Bebensee, 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026 in her home due to cancer.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1363 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites.
Penelope was born on July 26, 1939, in Crosby, Minnesota, to Paul and Delphine (Crawford) Picard. In 1948, her family moved to Alexandria, Minnesota. Following her father’s illness, the family relocated to Texarkana, Arkansas, to be closer to extended family. She graduated from Texarkana High School in 1957.
Penelope attended nursing school in Tyler, Texas, but realized she “did not want to be a nurse.” She proudly enlisted in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps, serving from 1959 to 1962. She was honorably discharged as a military pay clerk while stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, California.
In 1962, she married Richard Chisholm; they later divorced in 1975. In 1977, she found love again and married James F. Bebensee. In 1995, Penny and Jim moved to Cedar Rapids to be closer to family. She retired after a dedicated 25-year career with the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Penny was a faithful and active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was also involved in Women’s Connection in both Clinton and Cedar Rapids, American Legion Post 298, and the Freedom Foundation.
Penny had a deep love of travel and adventure. Her military life took her to Alabama, Indiana, San Francisco, Bangkok, Thailand, West Point, New York, Texarkana, Burlington, and Clinton, Iowa. Later travels with Jim and family included Norfolk, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Northport, Michigan; and an unforgettable Alaskan cruise.
In 2006, she and her granddaughter Amanda traveled through the Panama Canal and visited Costa Rica. She cherished time spent in Orlando, Florida, with her daughter Donna and family during the winter months. She also enjoyed traveling with church friends on bus tours to New York City, Branson, Lake Tahoe, and the Creation Museum.
In 2019, Penny was honored to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. In 2022, she sold her home of 27 years and moved in with her daughter Robin. She continued to travel with her children, visiting national parks and beaches, and enjoying time together. Her final cruise was from New York to Nova Scotia with her daughters. Her last vacation was a week in Branson, Missouri, in March 2026.
Penny loved music, theater, and Bible studies. She enjoyed playing games, especially Scrabble, cribbage, and pinochle. Above all, she treasured time with her family and friends. She was known for her warm and welcoming spirit and truly never met a stranger.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Robin Brown (Gary), Richard Chisholm (Jan), Donna Kolbo (Keith), and stepdaughter Debbria Haynes (Rob Hansen); her grandchildren, Amanda Brown; Melissa Brown (Michael Boyd); Eric Brewer (Dorothy); Anthony Brewer; Greta Todd (Nick); Debra Paulus; and Dawn Hannon; her great-grandchildren, Jeffery, Julia, Haylee, Lila, Pharoah, Loyalty, and Benjamin; and great-great-grandchild, Ava.
She is also survived by her twin brother, Paul Robin Picard (Marilyn) of Shawano, Wisconsin; her sister, Nancy Dunks of Garland, Texas; members of the Bebensee family, including Ed (Lonnette), Paul (Shelley), Donna Bebensee, BVM, Mary Patricia Elliott, and Julie Ann Smith; cousins Joe and Billy Don of Texas; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Bebensee; her first husband, Richard Chisholm; her parents, Paul Picard and Delphine (and stepfather Charles Baumberger); grandson Brian Brown; brother-in-law David Bebensee; nephew David Picard; and twin nieces Barbara and Brenda.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or to a veteran’s organization of your choice.