Emily Elizabeth Penning, 28, of Burnsville, MN passed away on June 22, 2026. She was born in St. Paul, MN to William L. Penning and Carolyn A. (Kennedy) Penning. She was a graduate of the School of Environmental Studies (SES) in Apple Valley, MN, and of Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN.

Emily loved to hike, camp and canoe. She found her peace in nature. She loved the Boundary Waters and visiting specific places in Duluth when visiting her Dad. Emily was an avid cook who loved to try new recipes and take specialty cooking classes with her Mom.

Emily also loved entertaining. She hosted many holiday meals, Halloween parties, and threw her sister, Brittany, a wonderful 30th birthday party in the summer of 2025. She was artistic and especially enjoyed pottery. She loved animals. She had a cat she adored by the name of Loki, meaning god of mischief and cunning in Norse mythology. Emily also loved going to our family farm ("in the tip of the thumb") in Port Austin, Michigan. We spent many summers in August riding golf carts, riding dirt bikes, playing in the barn, going to Port Crescent beach, getting ice cream in Grindstone and jumping off of the pier in Port Austin. Fresh corn, BBQ, homemade meals, and lively conversation were all of part of the experience. Emily loved getting together with her cousins. This was the only time of the year that we all met at our family farm to reconnect with family and friends.

Emily was very in touch with and proud of her Native culture. She was a band member of Walpole Island First Nation in Ontario, Canada. She loved going to pow wows, collecting Native inspired art and celebrating her heritage.

She is survived by father, Bill; mother, Carolyn; brother, Clayton; sister, Brittany; stepsister, Ali; stepbrother, Jack; grandparents, Richard and Pauline (Wrightman) Kennedy; many aunts [Donna (Tom), Ellen (Tony), Jean, Colleen (Curtis)], uncles [John, Ken, Mike (Pam)] and cousins and partner Christian. She was preceded in death by grandparents William H. and Carol V. (Kleinsmith) Penning and step father Christopher J. White.

Visitation and Spoken Memories will be held at White Funeral Home in Lakeville, MN, on Friday, July 17th, from 4-8 pm.  If you wish to participate in the Spoken Memories, please have a typed or handwritten memory ready for you (or a friend) to share.

The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this devastating time. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Emily's memory may make a memorial contribution to assist with medical and funeral expenses. Any gift, regardless of size, is sincerely appreciated and will help us celebrate a life that touched so many.

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