Penny S. Walizer

Penny S. Walizer, of Rebersburg lost her hard-fought battle with cancer at her home on Sunday, January 15, 2023.  She was 57.  Penny was born in Altoona on December 18, 1965, and raised by her beloved grandmother, Maxine E. Black who preceded her in death November 18, 2015. 

Penny was a 1983 graduate of Altoona High School and attained a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.  On May 31, 1997, she married the love of her life, Chris D. Walizer who survives.  She was employed as the office manager of the former Pearle Vision Center at the Benner Pike Walmart.  Penny was a very unique woman.  She was a professional violinist and bodybuilder in her earlier years.  A member of the Bald Eagle Rifle League, she could outshoot most men and was more comfortable wearing camouflage than a pretty dress and heels.  Penny was an avid huntress and fisherwoman, harvesting many different game animals and snakehead, her favorite fish to catch.  She and Chris enjoyed traveling to different areas of the country on hunting expeditions where they made lifelong friends.  Penny was a hard worker and owned several business’ in her lifetime, including Nature’s Floral Garden and Unique Gift & Floral.  She was co-owner of Nature’s Garden Landscape with Chris and worked hard alongside him to make the business succeed.  Later she became office manager for the family business Mountain High Hunting, maker of Buck Cage.  When she put her mind to it, there wasn’t much Penny couldn’t do.  She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her husband, Penny is survived by four children, Jessie Emel (Jesse) of Hawk Run, Cliff Walizer (Sarah) of Bellefonte, Jordan Walizer of Altoona and Lee Ripka (Jymie) of Howard.  Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, Julian, Jalen, Maverick, Emma, Seth, James, Lily Mae, Ryan, Seth, Taylor, Makayla, Alexis, Cole, Parker, Lena and a special canine companion, Peaches.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 6:00 until 9:00 pm at the Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim.  Penny will be laid to rest privately at Union Cemetery in Marklesburg.  Contributions in memory of Penny may be given to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund.  Penny’s grandson is studying to be a neurologist at Iowa University.  Please make the check payable to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund and address the envelope to University of Iowa Center for Advancement, POB 4550, Iowa City, IA  52244-4550.  On the memo line you can put “in memory of Penny Walizer”.  

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