Penny Lou Island, 72 of Rapid City formerly of Deadwood passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Rapid City.

A celebration of her life will be 11:00am Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with visitation one hour before. Luncheon and fellowship will follow at the Old Story Book Island Shelter 2911 Canyon Lake Dr in Rapid City. Burial will be 3:00pm at The Oakridge Cemetery in Deadwood. Online condolences can be left at www.osheimschmidt.com

She was born October 25, 1951 to Emroy "Squeak" and Neva Rosburg in Deadwood, SD. Her father paid for her hospital bill in bags of pennies that he collected. Her family owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store, Sunnyside Grocery and she became the young face of Sunbeam Bread known as "Little Miss Sunbeam". Later the grocery store was converted into The Penny Motel that still stands today. She worked various jobs including at the local fabric store and flower shop where she delivered flowers to local businesses including the operating brothels in town.

She graduated from Deadwood High in 1969 and attended Black Hills State College to obtain a degree in education. She obtained her masters degree from St. Scholastica in Minnesota. She taught in the Sturgis and Rapid City school districts at South Park elementary (Annie Talent) and retired after teaching 37 years. She shared her passion for the Alaskan Iditarod, US History, and South Dakota history with students over the years and thoroughly loved teaching. She continued to educate after retirement as a step-on tour guide for charter buses rolling through town on the history of the Black Hills area. She also traveled from Jackson Hole, WY into Canada as a National Parks tour guide for Road Scholar.

She married Ralph Island, Jr. on June 14, 1974 in Las Vegas, NV.  To this union, they welcomed Beth in 1980 and Jess in 1984. Together they owned and operated Island Lumber in Deadwood, Dakota Skateland, numerous second-hand stores, and pawn shops in the area. They enjoyed being members of the Corvette Club and traveling through the hills with their friends. She used her artistic talent to create cakes and flower arrangements that she sold yearly at the local craft bazaars. She was an avid garage sales enthusiast always looking for a good deal or an unusual antique. Her greatest joy came when she became lovingly known as "Nonny" to her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them, teaching them, traveling to their various activities and scrapbooking their adventures.

She is survived by her daughter; Beth and Eric Sundahl and grandkids Greta, Elliott and Meredith Sundahl, son Jess and Kaycee Island and grandson Ledger Island.

She was preceded in death by her parents "Squeak" and Neva Rosburg, and husband Ralph Island, Jr.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Galena Historical Society. All proceeds go to preservation efforts of the schoolhouse and cemetery. You may donate by sending a check or money order to 12060 Galena Road Deadwood, SD 57732.