Penny Stahl

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Monday, May 19, 2025
at Monument Hospice House in Rapid City at the age of 71

Penny Paula Stahl was born on April 3, 1954, in Rapid City, South Dakota to Reed and Margaret “Peggy”(O’Neal) Drury, joining an older sister Barbara, then brothers Kenneth and Neal. They lived in Keystone, SD where Reed worked in the mica and quartz mines; returning to Philip where she spent the next 19 years. She attended K-12 and graduated from Philip High School in 1972 along with 13 others, who remained friends to this day.

At 12 years old she began work at the hospital in Philip doing lab dishes after school, eventually working in most departments until leaving in 1973 to attend nursing school in Rapid City. On New Years eve at “Corks” she met William “Bill” Stahl, who she later married on November 10,1973. She attended nursing school at BHAVT for LPN and graduated in February 1975. Her and Bill moved to Custer where she became employed at Custer Community Hospital until April 1984.

They had 2 sons while living in Custer: Ryan John in 1976 and Eric William in 1981. They moved back to Rapid City where she worked at Rapid City Regional Hospital for a brief time, followed by employment at Rapid City Medical Center as a clinic nurse, then later began a 10-year journey as a clinical nurse with the Heart Doctor. In 1996 she worked at the VA Medical Center for a short period and later found her niche at Community Health Care Center for the next 8 years until Bill became employed in Pierre, SD. While he worked in Pierre, they moved back to the original Stahl Homestead and tore down the old house and built a new one.

In 2013, Bill and Penny both retired, moving to the country full-time where they spent their remaining years cleaning existing tree patches, planting three new tree patches, and tending to a herd of cats. She became widowed when Bill passed away from Pancreatic Cancer on October 20th, 2018. She continued to live in the country and stayed busy with Catholic Church Tribes, completing the renovation of the rectory. She also served as a director and manager of the Bad River Senior Center.

Survivors include her sons, Ryan (Jenae Guffy) Stahl of Hill City and Eric (Jeremy Wall) Stahl of Wellington, CO; grandchildren Allison Stahl of Norfolk, VA, Trevor Stahl of Sioux Falls, and Chastin Stahl of Hill City; great-granddaughter, Charlette Erickson; brothers, Reed “Neal” (Becky) Drury of Rapid City and Kenneth (Deb) Drury of Philip; sister-in-law Jeanne Stahl of Pheonix, AZ; aunt, Janet Drury of Sturgis; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Penny was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William “Bill” Stahl on October 8, 2018; her sister, Barb Clements and her in-laws, Paul and Dorothy Stahl.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Christian Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Christian Funeral Committal will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

VISITATION
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

ROSARY SERVICE
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTAIN FUNERAL MASS
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 1:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Penny Stahl LPN,
We recognize you and pay homage to you and your dedication to your career and to the profession of nursing. We extend our deepest sympathies to your family, friends, and former colleagues
*West River Nurse Honor Guard of SD

   ~ Heather Solon RN Kadoka, SD (5/20/2025)
Rest in peace Penny. I will forever remember your transparency on death and the dying process. You said "nothing to be scared of." In just a week at Hospice, I witnessed so much peace in you. I am so glad zi got to meet you Eric. I pray you find the same peace with your loss as your mom found at the end of her journey.
   ~ Roxy Formanek PHILIP SD (5/21/2025)
I am deeply saddened to hear of Penny's passing. My heart is still hurting, cannot fathom the depth of your grief. Penny fought a long and hard battle with unwavering strength and endurance, qualities that I deeply admire. In this difficult time, may Penny's memory bring all comfort and peace, and let her legacy of love and strength guide you through the coming days and beyond.
   ~ Kathy Barela (KB) Phoenix, AZ (5/22/2025)
RIP Penny. We were school mates from k-12. Good memories of us sneaking around smoking our cigarettes with Rene and CK. You will be missed my friend.
   ~ Dennis & Donna Moses Green Valley AZ (5/21/2025)