Couple enjoys role as hosts at senior center

Jean Penne, 77, and her husband Russ, 79, form a dynamic duo serving the Kalispell Senior Center.

Jim Pearson, president of the center’s board of directors, said both have served on the board. Jean now works part time as site manager for congregate meals five days a week, while Russ volunteers his time as chairman of the board’s maintenance committee and helping around the center every day.

“Together, this team of two have been a tremendous asset to the seniors our senior center serves,” Pearson said. “These are just two great all-around people, helping make our community a better place for seniors.”

The duo, who were high school sweethearts in North Dakota, became a team a little more than 58 years ago while Russ was still in the Navy. After living several places, including 17 years in Great Falls and four in Canada, the couple moved back to the Flathead to Evergreen with their daughter, Anita, and son, Phil.

“This was my hometown, and he liked it here,” Jean said. “I went to work for the telephone company just after the strike.”

Russ took a job with Mayflower Movers until his knees could no longer lift pianos. A few years later, Russ discovered a new occupation while working the Christmas tree lot at Snappy Sport Senter.

“I had started to grow a beard, and I had a Santa hat on,” he said with a laugh. “I peeked around a tree, and this little boy got excited and said, ‘I saw Santa!’”

Now, 30 years later, Russ still dons his Santa suit to play the jolly old elf. His 2011 gigs included Snappy’s, private studio shoots for well-known photographer Trevon Baker and a benefit photo night for the Kalispell Senior Center.

Of all the hats he has worn, from post office employee to farrier to mover to cake baker, he likes his Santa cap best of all.

“I’ve had more fun with it,” he said with a ho, ho, ho. “The oldest I’ve had on my lap was 97, and the youngest was 13 hours.”

When Jean retired in 1996 after 20 years at the telephone company, she discovered that she really needed more to do each day, so she and Russ became members of the senior center.

“I had heard about the exercise program at the senior center,” she said.

Jean and a friend joined the three-times-a week exercise group. She kept with it and eventually assumed leadership when the position was vacant

The couple continued volunteering at the center year-round until they sold their Evergreen home in 2005 and began traveling during the winter.

 While serving on the board including a term as chairwoman, Jean learned that site manager Shirley Putnam never took vacation time. To give Putnam a break, she learned the job and later shared the job at Putnam’s request.

A year and a half ago, Jean was hired as site manager when Putnam retired. She said she doesn’t feel like her title exactly fits the job.

“I feel more like a hostess than a site manager,” she said. “You welcome people down here and make them feel comfortable.”

Russ helps Jean set up for the congregate meals, performs some odd jobs and enjoys putting together a jigsaw puzzle during slow times.

Anyone 55 or older may come for lunch for $4.25 by calling a day ahead. Seniors 60 and older may qualify for a reduced cost of $3 or whatever they can afford to contribute.

“It’s a federal nutritional program,” Jean said. “We have 15 to 17 people normally, although we had 35 for the Christmas dinner.”

Jean and Russ invite others to check out the lunch as well the many other activities at the Kalispell Senior Center.

 Along with the popular exercise program, members and guests may take part in card games, painting and scrapbooking classes. Kalispell Senior Center also offers puzzles and books to check out for free, a pool table, exercise equipment and two computers just donated to the center.

“We’re looking for a [computer] teacher,” Jean said.

The Pennes said they would love to see some younger people — 55 and over — join to bring “some new blood” into the organization. They say they both enjoyed belonging because of the wonderful and diverse group of people they meet and all the programs.

“It keeps me active, and it keeps Russ active,” Jean said. “I think it has broadened us a lot.”

For more information about the Kalispell Senior Center, call 257-1598.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.