Penny Isaacson was honored at Nerstrand School during their annual celebration, recognizing her years of dedication to school and the community of Nerstrand.
Bri Melford (music teacher) and the Woodland students wrote the original song about Penny.
Below is the song that they wrote.
CHORUS
Penny is the best, Penny is the best
We love when she reads to us
Penny is the best, Penny is the best
Let us tell you a story all about Penny
She was born in Owatonna in 1944
Didn’t have much money, but love meant more.
Dad worked hard as a police man
Mom worked at the hospital, a helping hand
Older brother by her side,
Younger siblings she helped guide.
When her parents worked till late,
Penny learned to carry the weight.
CHORUS
Her backyard touched the fairground lights,
Summer sounds on July nights.
She and her brother would climb up high,
Onto the roof beneath the sky.
Grandstand shows they watched for free,
Just two kids and a memory.
She thought her name was strange somehow,
Kids would tease but she laughs now.
Small-town trust and open doors,
That’s the kind of world she knew before.
She’ll tell you parents once were strict,
But love was steady, strong, and quick.
CHORUS
Owatonna High — she loved those halls,
Made new friends between the walls.
At sixteen she was on her feet,
Hospital halls and a steady beat.
Then she got a job at the movie theater
Weekend nights folks greeted her
Tearing tickets with a smile,
Her popcorn was the best by far
She met her love — a party night,
Something simple, something right.
Small-town wedding, roses long,
Two hundred guests and joyful songs.
She stitched her wedding dress with care,
Ribbon sandwiches, cake to share
CHORUS
She married David, with her pride
Forty-nine years side by side.
Hard work lived in every day,
Farm equipment sales — their way.
Two boys, two girls, her pride and cheer,
Raised with steady hands each year.
Penny and David traveled the world
Saw the sites and always learned
Now grandchildren make her life feel new
Great-grandchildren bring joy too.
She reads us books, we gather near,
Every word brings warmth and cheer.
Our school welcomes her every Wednesday,
“Keep it up!” we always say.
CHORUS
Penny is the best, Penny is the best
We love when she reads to us
Penny is the best, Penny is the best
That’s our story all about Penny
