Christian Olsen Penner, 69, passed away September 28, 2021 quietly in his home in Troy, with his wife by his side. He was born in 1952 to JoAnn Olsen Klever in Phoenix, AZ. Shortly after his birth his parents divorced. The next year, JoAnn Married Joe Penner and Chris was adopted by him. He and his family followed Joe up and down the west coast, while his father worked in construction. They finally landed in Boise, ID where Chris attended various schools. Chris joined the Navy in 1952 and received an Honorable Discharge at the end of the Vietnam War. He moved to Phoenix where he met Betty Lou McClelland in 1987 and they were married in 1988. After moving back to Boise, ID, he worked for Willis Shaw Express for many years, earning the coveted award for One Million Miles driven with NO accidents and ticket free. While there, he was selected to be a driver instructor in Boise and Elm Springs, AR.
In 2001, Chris bought his own truck while working for Martin Transport. He moved his truck to Trailer Convoy. Together with his beloved cat, Bisquit, he traveled from coast to coast, north to south. He managed to leave Bisquit’s paw prints in all lower 48 states. Leaving trucking in 2003, he started his own business, C & B Mobile Truck Alignments. He was much respected for his dedication to details and professional and ethical business practices. His reputation reached far beyond Montana’s borders. In 2005, he returned to trucking, working as a “flatbedder” for Aamodt Trucking in Bonners Ferry, ID.
He and Betty moved to the Libby/Troy area in 1995, where he lived until his death. He loved this state and enjoyed many of the things it offers including hunting, fishing, re-loading and horseback riding.
While tarping a load in 2008, he fell from his truck and suffered a burst fracture of his back. He never returned to trucking. His remaining years were spent traveling and taking care of his home and wife, Betty. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Penner; grandparents; step-daughter, Debra Goldner; and mother-in-law, Johanna McClelland.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; mother JoAnn and brother Joe, both of Libby; sister Jerikim (Michael) and Ben all of France; niece & nephew Sophora and Samuel; daughters Shawna Martindale of Gooding, ID; Angie Ludlow (Rod) of Middleton, ID; step-son Michael Dyer (Kelly) of Windam, Ohio; step-daughter Pamela Shilling of Brunswick GA; grandchildren Victor of Phoenix, Harlee, Niklas and Adaline Dose all from ID; step-grands Steven (Ashley), Kevin and Nathan of Windam, OH, Madison and Spencer of Brunswick, GA; a great-grandbaby Quinn Noelle Dyer of Windam, OH; and his many friends in trucking and Montana.
To you Chris I say, “I love you dearly, miss you terribly, and will wait patiently until we meet again”.
If you wish to remember Chris, please give a donation to Kootenai Pets for Life. Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.
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