Mary Lee "Lucky" Fennema

Lucky was born June 29, 1926, to parents Orville and Mary Luckinbill, in Seward Township, Oklahoma. Once graduated from Guthrie High School, she attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and Nutrition in 1951 and then received her Master’s in 1955. While attending OSU Lucky met her groom, Sam Fennema, to whom she was married for 55 years until his passing in 2004.

After graduation they moved to Ponca City for a few years and then to Oklahoma City until the mid-1960's. During this time Lucky was the Home Economics and PE teacher for Millwood School and raised their four children: Marie, Martha, Steve and Sandy. She designed and implemented an innovative Home Economics kitchen and program at the school. Working with Jerry Logan, the Woodworking/Shop program and the girls in the Home Economics program would trade places for a period of time during the semester. The boys would learn the basics of cooking and sewing and the girls would learn to use the tools to create a woodworking project.

Following their move in mid-1960’s to Edmond, Lucky began working at Bernina Sewing Machine Sales Center. Lucky and Sam were sponsors of the Edmond Methodist Youth Fellowship of 10 years. She was also an Advisor for the Coed Explorer Post 77, which is a part of the Boy Scouts of America program. Lucky kept herself busy, she loved helping boys and girls with service projects, participated in 15 treks to Philmont, a BSA High adventure base, for 12 days of backpacking with a coed crew. Her heart of service and devotion to the Scouts earned her a Silver Beaver Award, which is awarded to adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through their outstanding service.

Lucky always made her home available for family, friends, relatives and exchange students. For years, on Sunday evening Lucky hosted her family and friends for a pot luck dinner. She was actively involved as a member of First United Methodist Church in Edmond. Lucky volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at Edmond OU Hospital until she was 93 years old. Lucky was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed all of her family immensely.

Lucky was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Mary Luckinbill, and husband, of 55 years, Sam Fennema.

She is survived by her children: Marie Gately and husband Hugh Piatt of Edmond; Martha Rasmussen, of Edmond; Steve Fennema and wife Mary Pat, of Tulsa; and Sandy Johnson and husband Kent, of Oklahoma City. Six grandchildren: Sonja Hill (John), Greenville, TX; Aaron Light (Trish), Springfield, MO; Hannah Beloncik (Zach), Edmond, OK; Garrett O’Meara, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Gary Fennema (Kristen), Tulsa; and Madison Smith (Mike), Lombard, IL. Eight great-grandchildren: Martha, John Riley and Silas Hill; Abigail and Zach Light; Aiden and Ryan Belonchik; and Benjamin Fennema.

A celebration of Lucky’s life will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, June 13, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma (305 E. Hurd).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Edmond or Edmond Mobile Meals.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the FENNEMA family.