May 9, 1936– Sept. 28, 2026
Angels rejoiced on September 28, 2026 when Lazetta (Lowber) Penner passed away from this life into eternity to be with her Lord and loved ones in heaven.
She did not tiptoe through life, she tackled it with a smile. She was born on May 9th, 1936 to Bill and Maggie Lowber. She was the 4th of 5 children and was raised on a farm southeast of Cordell. She attended Mt. Pleasant School through her elementary years and graduated from Cordell High School in 1954 where she played basketball, softball and sang in the chorus. She put a high value on education and was very proud that both of her daughters obtained a college degree.
In 1955 she married the love of her life Lawrence Penner whom she met at the Washita Theater. Together they raised their two wonderful daughters, Cindy and Brenda.
Miss Zetta loved her family, the city of Cordell and its citizens, her two church families, and life itself.
She started working when her daughters started school. She worked at OTASCO, Stans Men’s Wear and was hired as the Director of the Cordell Chamber of Commerce. When at the Chamber she was in charge of 4 Cheyenne Arapaho Celebrations, 14 Art Shows in the City Park, and along with the help of local businessman Jack Loftiss started the Cordell Pumpkin Festival which is still held annually.
She, along with Cordell 4-H clubs raised money for the Court House Dome to be repaired, started the T-ball summer league program with 6 softballs and 4 bats. She applied for and was awarded a $50,000 grant for Lee Park which was used for new playground equipment, a bath house, and a fourth mile walking track.
She brought the Dollar General to Cordell, bought the building, contacted the contractor and found an investor to build it.
She was a broker for Sooner Sales Real Estate with her brother Royce. Together they owned Sooner Sales, Ms. Zetta’s Yellow Broom and the Corner Vape Store.
One of her favorite jobs was with the City of Cordell in Customer Service. She loved visiting with the people as they came in to pay their utility bills. She served 4 four year terms on the City Council after retirement. Special Recognitions that she was very proud of were being chosen Cordell Person of the Year and her selection by Channel 5 as Cordell Hometown Hero in 2025.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church where she served on many committees and boards. She loved her ladies Sunday School Class at the Baptist Church and enjoyed many trips and outings with her group of friends.
She was a caregiver for her parents, Bill and Maggie Lowber, her father- in- law A.W. Penner and aided in caring for her brother Royce Lowber.
She loved her life, her husband, her children, her grand-children, and her great granddaughters. She took the family on vacation together every year in July to Las Vegas. The time spent with her family on these vacations was the highlight of her summers. She loved attending all the kid’s school activities and loved hosting family gatherings with her nieces and nephews and their families.
This lady lived her life to the fullest every single day for over 90 years. Look out everyone in Heaven. Here comes Zetta!
Survivors include: Daughter Cindy and husband Loren Butler of Norman Oklahoma; Granddaughter Laura and husband Colby Cowart of Norman, Oklahoma; Grandson Brett Butler and his daughter Jaylee of Norman; Daughter Brenda Penner-Hoefar of Oklahoma City; Granddaughter Gabby Hoefar and husband Luke Sumptor and their daughter, Harper of Gainsville, Florida; her very special nephew/little brother Scott Lowber of Oklahoma City; Robert DeLong and his wife Linda of Moore, Oklahoma; Rick Cook and wife Mary of Cordell; Jana Webb of Cordell; JaLane Dunbar of Mustang, Oklahoma; nna Reye Silva of Oklahoma City; Kelly Dixon of Cordell; Leah and Nick Jones of Cordell; Kerri Lowber of Phoenix, Arizona; Ceeja Malmaker and husband Lucas of Oklahoma City; Wyndi Barr and husband Linc of Oklahoma City; Jeff Penner and wife Dalinda of Norman; Lance Penner and his wife Penh of Yukon, and her many special friends, their families, and neighbors.
Preceding Zetta in death were her husband Lawrence Penner, Bill and Maggie Lowber, Billoye DeLong and husband Ed DeLong, sister Byrdena Cook and her husband Elden Cook, brother Frank Lowber and his wife Terra, and brother Royce Lowber In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Cordell Blessing Box.
Celebration of Life was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2026 United Methodist Church, Cordell, OK Inurnment: Lawnview Cemetery, Cordell, OK Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, OK