John C. Penn

John “Jack” C. Penn, 81, of Spring Green, Wisconsin passed away January 19, 2021 in Naples, Florida of heart failure.

Jack was born December 18, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Hattie and Orlyn Penn. He was a 1957 graduate of North High School in Des Moines. Attending on an academic and sports scholarship,
he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1962, earning Bachelor and Master degrees in Business and Economics. This education was very pivotal in his personal and professional development and he often reminisced about the importance and value of this part of his life. He married Miriam Fjell and and they raised 3 children together. Miriam passed away in 2007. Jack married Nancy (Newell) Coogan, also a 1957 North High School graduate, on August 2, 2008.

During his long and distinguished professional career, Jack served for over five decades in various executive capacities at Arctic Cat, Plastech, Benson Optical, Centers for Diagnostic Imaging and Satellite Industries.
Jack also faithfully served terms on over 30 Boards of Directors including Good Samaritan, Malt O’ Meal and National AARP.

Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, a glass of wine with great food and many many special friendships. He firmly believed in giving back his time and talents. Jack pursued all of his activities, duties and relationships with devotion, a sense of humor and an attentive willingness to listen. Always a gentleman, it will be difficult to picture Jack without his standard bow tie. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his sister JoAnn Hoover and his first wife Miriam. He is survived by his wife Nancy Penn, his children Timothy Penn (Erica) of Hilltown, PA, Anna Penn of Seattle, WA, David (Charlotte) Penn of Bloomington, MN, Nancy’s children Elizabeth Weiand (Mike) of Crown Point, IN, Kimberly Coogan-Rogers (John) of Westmont, IL, Kathleen Walls (Ryan) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Nancy’s 6 grandchildren and her 2 great grandchildren.

Jack will be long remembered as a man who embodied the principles of integrity, kindness and compassion.
He will also be remembered as a leader with the ability to see the world with optimism. Above all, he will be
remembered as a devoted husband, father and a good and trusted friend.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, Minnesota at 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

An internment ceremony will take place at a future date at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa
Memorials may be made to: The Green Lake Festival of Music, PO Box 569, Green Lake, WI 54941.