Katherine Penner, of Hillsboro, will be 99 on Sept. 9.

Katherine “Katie” Nickel was born the youngest of 12 children Sept. 9, 1912, in Washita County near Clinton, Okla.

On April 2, 1938, she married Dan Hiebert in Hillsboro, and together they farmed west of Hillsboro. Dan died Feb. 28, 1957. She then married Harry Schmidt on Jan. 2, 1960, and he died May 26, 1966. She married Paul Penner Feb. 14, 1976, and he died June 17, 1982.

She has four sons: Robert Hiebert and wife Eddie of Abilene, Paul Hiebert and wife Marilynn of Bridgeton, Mo., Charles Hiebert of Alexandria, Va., and Larry Penner and wife Karen of Newton; one daughter: Mary Beck and husband Al of Minot, ND; 10 Grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are all invited to join her in celebrating her special day at an informal come-and-go birthday party in the commons area of the Park Village Congregate in Hillsboro where she now lives. The party with birthday cake and refreshments will take place from 2 to 4 p.m., Sept. 9. Those unable to attend who would like to send a card can send it to her home at 1 Park Ave., Apartment 115, Hillsboro, KS 67063.