Arlis "Bud" Kinning, Jr.

Arlis H. "Bud" Kinning, Jr., 81, of Pender, Nebraska passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 26, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Pender; Father Gerald Leise will be celebrating Mass. The visitation will be Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Pender. The burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Bud was born April 9, 1938 in Rosalie, NE to Arlis and Dorothy (Davis) Kinning. They moved to a farm between Rosalie and Walthill when Bud was in the first grade. He finished his elementary schooling at the Martin country school and graduated from Rosalie High School in 1955. His parents then sold the farm and purchased Rosalie Hardware. He worked there until joining the U.S. Marine Corps. After the military he became a partner in the store with his dad and brothers. He was proficient in plumbing, heating, electrical, and utility work. He and a partner ended up purchasing the business.

Bud married Charlene Stanek on December 14, 1962 and the couple had six children. He was on the Vet’s color guard while serving on the John Rooney Post No. 55 in Pender for six years and a volunteer fire fighter in Rosalie. Bud was on the church council at St. John’s Catholic Church and on the Archdiocese Pastoral Council. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Pender and a Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus Council 11810 in Pender and 4^th degree council in Norfolk. Bud served as District Deputy for two years for the District 15 Knights of Columbus. His goal was to increase memberships across the locations and won many awards for his efforts. He was a Chamber Businessman of the Year. Bud always volunteered for Sunday breakfasts, soup suppers, or any other project that would arise.

Bud and two partners started Penro Construction in 1971. The company specialized in utility construction. He became the sole owner in 1986. In 1996, he began selling shares to his son, Mark. In 2000 he retired and sold all remaining shares to his sons, Mark and Ryan.  Even though he was retired, he still checked in and became the “gofer.”

Bud was an avid Husker fan willing to share tickets with his friends and family members. He loved spending time with his family camping and fishing. Bud also loved to cook pancakes on Chamber Appreciation Day and tend bar at Legion activities. Bud loved his pranks and one-liners, as well as hunting and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene Kinning of Pender, NE; children, Rodney (Coleen) Kinning of Creighton, NE, Sheila (Jim) Pape of Pender, NE, Kathy (Ron) Baker of Pender, NE, Joe Kinning of Norfolk, NE, Mark (Shauna) Kinning of Pender, NE, Ryan (Holly) Kinning of Pender, NE; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Diane (Larry) Ahlers of Rosalie, NE, Norma (Boyd) Hightree of Pender, NE, Bob (Karen) Kinning of Loveland, CO; sister-in-law, Georgia Kinning of Denver, CO; aunt, Nina Phalen of Fremont, NE; and several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ron and Don Kinning.