San Jose Mercury News, Sunday 16 Jan 2011  p. B10 (and Monday, 
17 Jan 2011 p. B 5)
San Jose, CA


La Vina "Penny" Lake
Resident of San Jose

      Penny entered into rest peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2011,
at her home in San Jose, Ca.  her story is like so many of that generation
filled with moving of the family,  World War II, and the strong resilience
exhibited by people born in those years.  Upon her birth on December 4,
1925 in Enid Oklahoma, Penny was named "Lavina Florene Hebert".  She was
the was the [sic] second of two children born to Katherine (Thessman)
Hiebert and Herman "Tex" Hiebert.  The name "Penny" was given to her by
her cousin and best friend Dorothy Schmidt.  The family next moved to Los
Angeles where Penny worked in a bakery and then in a fiber board factory
where milk cartons were produced.  Upon moving to San Jose, she again
worked for a bakery and then at Woolworth's.  Penny's education included
attendance at Tabor College in Hillsborough, Kansas.  Penny was a 35 year
employee at Blossom Floral Shop.  After her retirement from Blossom Floral
Shop, she began work in Sept. of 1998, at Achiever Christian School as
their music teacher, and continued in that position until March of 2010.
      Penny's older brother, Alvin Hiebert predeceased her in 1963.
Penny married Grover Marvin Lake on September 17, 1955.  Their marriage
produced one daughter, Kay (Ramona) Lake now deceased (November 11, 2010)
Penny had said that her marriage and subsequent birth of daughter Kaye
was the best thing in her life.
      Penny's interests stemmed mainly around her strong Christian beliefs
and her love of children.  Over the years, many children's causes were
championed by both Penny and her late daughter alike.  The Lake family
had many social gatherings at their home where friends and neighbors
alike enjoyed wonderful events filled with food, laughter, and fun.
      Penny had a long time close relationship with Louise Muso (Jones)
Atkins, who was her foreign exchange student, and Louise's husband Robert
Atkins now living in Florida.  Penny went to great efforts to help Louise
make the USA her home.  Robert and Louise Atkins have two children, Joel
and Rochelle Atkins.  Rochelle Atkins also has two children, Terral and
little Joel.  Penny looked on this family with great love and affection.
      Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Wednesday,
January 19, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at WILLOW GLEN BAPTIST CHURCH,
1292 Minnesota Ave. (at Hicks Ave.), San Jose.  Donations made in
Penny's name should be to any church or charity helping children.
LIMA-CAMPAGNA-ALAMEDA MISSION CHAPEL serving the family.