Mr. Rudy Penasa of Cedarburg, formerly of Milwaukee, passed away at his home early Friday morning, September 6, 2024. He was 83 years old.

Rudy was born in Milwaukee on August 28, 1941, son of Rudolph J. and Mary (nee Demichei) Penasa. He graduated from Pius XI High School and proudly served in the US Army.

Rudy and Nancy (nee Diefenbach) eloped and were married in St. Joseph, Michigan. The couple lived in Milwaukee before moving to Cedarburg in 1972, where they raised their three children. They were married for 55 wonderful years.

Mr. Penasa owned and operated two Sentry Foods stores in Milwaukee. He retired in 1993.

Rudy was an avid reader, history buff and had a formidable sweet tooth. He was a true donut afficionado; krullers, danish, biscotti, even twinkies- he loved them all equally.

It was joked that Rudy never met a stranger. He could (and often did) strike up a conversation with anyone - from busboys at his favorite restaurants to random passers-by at Disney. He was genuinely interested in people and appreciated finding shared interests and values.

Above all, he loved his family and home was his favorite place to be. Rudy was a longtime member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church.

Survivors include his loving wife Nancy, and their three children: Chris (fiancée Jurga Herron) Penasa of Tampa, FL, Andy Penasa of Milwaukee, and Angie (Josh Schwan) Penasa of Louisville, KY. Rudy is further survived by his sister Judy (Roger) Davis of Strongsville, OH, niece Jenny, nephew Joe, other family and many, many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1PM on Thursday, September 12th, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, 1375 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg, WI. Father Patrick Burns will preside. The family will receive visitors at the church on Thursday, September 12th, from 11AM until Mass begins at 1PM. Rudy will be laid to rest in the parish cemetery later that day.

The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .