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Home ›Jean “Penny” Louise Seidel – Clitherall, MN
Seidel
lived a life defined by
generosity, laughter and a
deep love for her family.
Penny passed away peacefully
Thursday, March 5,
2026 at the age of 82, surrounded
by her loving family
after a courageous battle
with cancer.
Penny was born January
22, 1944 in Fargo, ND to
Gordon and Lorraine (Cullen)
Dunavold. She attended
St. Mary’s, where she was
Baptized and Confirmed.
As a child, Penny spent
cherished time with her
grandparents, Ole and Jennie
Dunavold on their farm in
Gheen, MN—memories she
spoke of fondly throughout
her life.
Penny met her spouse,
Eugene in Minneapolis. Together
they began their life
as a family, living in California
and Montana before
eventually making their
home in Clitherall, MN,
where they spent many wonderful
years. Penny and
Eugene shared 46 years of
marriage and raised their
children together prior to his
passing March 14, 2008.
Penny devoted her life to
her family and friends,
always placing them at the
center of her world. She was
a gracious and welcoming
hostess and was like a second
Mom too many.
Penny enjoyed traveling,
road trips on the semi with
Gene, fishing, crafts, playing
bingo and making trips to the
casino. Anyone who knew
Penny also knew she almost
always had a Diet Coke close
by.
She will be remembered
for her warmth, her sense of
humor and the genuine love
she shared with everyone
around her.
Penny is survived by her
siblings, Judy Stave and
Kathy (Curt) Berg; her aunts,
Jeanie (Merlin) Johnson and
Sherri (Dick) Fradet; her sister-
in-law, JoEllen Seidel;
her children, Mike (Karen)
Dahlen, Chris (Paul) Davidson,
Cindy (Tesfaye) Shikur,
Rick Seidel, Tom Seidel, Joe
Seidel and Jenny Seidel; 11
grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren,
many nieces
and nephews; and her
beloved dog, Scruffy.
She was preceded in death
by her parents, Lorraine and
Gordon Dunavold; her siblings,
Janet and Tom; her
spouse, Eugene; and her
grandson, Joshua Dahlen.
The family would like to
extend a special thank you to
the compassionate team at
Vive Hospice, especially
Stacy Crouse for the care,
kindness and support shown
to Penny and her family.
A memorial gathering will
be Friday, March 27 from 1-
3 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Celebration
of Life at the Glende-
Nilson Funeral Home of Battle
Lake..
Glende-Nilson Funeral
Home and Cremation Services
of Battle Lake is in
charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be made
online at www.GlendeNils
on.com.


