Luceine L. Penne

Luceine L. Penne, 100, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward.

There will be a Memorial Service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, at Levander Funeral Home in Albion with Father Matt Gutowski officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow at Main Cemetery, Belgrade with Military Rites. 

Levander Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.levanderfuneralhome.com. 

Luceine LeRoy Penne, son of Henry and Myrtle (Nott) Penne, was born on July 25, 1926, in Spalding. He attended grade school at Wheeler County District 20 and graduated from Wheeler High School.

On Feb. 22, 1945, at the age of 18, Luceine was drafted into the United States Army. Shortly after the end of World War II, he was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Just as he was preparing to deploy, word was received that Japan had surrendered and the war was over. Luceine was honorably discharged from the Army on May 14, 1946. He then signed up for the Army Reserves and was called up to serve again when the Korean War started.  He was honorably discharged in November of 1952 with the rank of Corporal.

On Nov. 3, 1953, Luceine was united in marriage to Norma Jane Aldrich at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spalding. To this union, four children were born: Connie, Terry, Mark, and Chris. The couple initially moved to Omaha, where he worked at Buhrmans Implement dealership. Luceine began working alongside Norma’s father in his well-drilling business. The business eventually brought them back to Belgrade. In time, Luceine took over the business, serving many families and communities throughout the area for many years. He continued operating Penne Well Drilling until 1988, when his son, Terry, took over. They also ran the café in Belgrade for a short time after they moved back.

Following his retirement, Luceine and Norma moved to Albion. They enjoyed spending their winters in Donna, Texas, where they became well known around the area for their impressive dancing. The two enjoyed attending dances together whenever they could, especially during their winters in Texas.

Following Norma’s death in 2018, Luceine made his home at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward.

Luceine was a member of the Ruthburn Fehrs Unit 99 American Legion in Belgrade, a lifetime member of the Eagles in Fullerton, and a member of the Nebraska Well Drillers Association. He also served on the Village Board in Belgrade.

Along with his stellar dancing skills, Luceine enjoyed visiting with his many friends, both old and new, and spending time with his family. In his later years, he especially enjoyed going for drives with his children and spending Sundays at his daughter’s houses, where he looked forward to his favorite meal of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. He also enjoyed reading the newspaper, watching the news, and, perhaps most of all, visiting with those around him. Each year, he made an effort to attend the Wheeler Central Alumni Banquet.

Luceine is survived by his four children, Connie (Dan) Dobson of Cedar Rapids, Terry (Karen) Penne of Belgrade, Mark Penne of Ord, and Chris (Lynn) Condreay of St. Edward; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his brother, John Penne of Memphis, Tenn.; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Myrtle Penne; his wife, Norma; his brothers, Richard and Donald; and his sisters, Betty Ann Seaman and Shirley Tomlinson.