Penelope "Penny" Wedin-Gorden

Penelope (Penny) Dawn Wedin -Gorden of Bismarck, ND passed away on Thursday April 2, 2026 at MN Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN from complications of a double lung transplant with her husband and daughter by her side.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Sunne Lutheran Church, Wilton, ND. Family burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service.

Penny was born on August 16, 1955 to Lorraine (Knutson) and Calvin Sholes. She grew up in Grand Forks, ND and graduated from Central High School.

Penny graduated from the University of Mary with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Social Behavioral Science. She furthered her education by earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work. As a licensed clinical therapist and Addiction Counselor holding an LSCW licensure, Penny dedicated many years of her professional life to the Bismarck VA Clinic before retiring in 2018. Throughout her career, she held a deep affection for the veterans she worked with, endearingly calling them “her veterans.” She was privileged to participate in numerous Honor Flights alongside them, experiences she treasured dearly.

Her life was rich with love and family. Penny married Mark Wedin on July 20, 1973, and together they raised four children: Heidi, Brent, Michael, and Casey. Later, on July 15, 1994, she married Grant Gorden. Their years together were filled with joy, travel, and shared passions—including time spent in Arizona, camping adventures, Christmas Lefsa-making traditions, and dancing, activities that often found them smiling brightly on the dance floor.

Penny’s love of travel extended far beyond regional borders. One memorable trip to Japan resulted in the charming family story of her earnest purchase of pearl strands for each of her granddaughters—a lovely gesture made all the more endearing by her humorous inability to convert Japanese Yen into U.S. dollars. She also journeyed to Ireland and France with her daughter, where they immersed themselves in museums and cultural treasures. An avid reader, Penny was known to have multiple books going at once and rarely left a bookstore without purchasing more.

In addition to her intellectual pursuits, Penny’s talents encompassed quilting, crocheting, painting, and flower arranging, showcasing her artistic gifts. She also cherished the daily FaceTime calls with her youngest granddaughter, Mya, often twice a day, a testament to the close bonds she nurtured with her family.

Penny’s loving presence will be deeply missed by her husband, Grant; her children, Heidi (Jim) Christianson of Cottage Grove, WI, Brent (Meghan) Wedin of College Grove, TN, Michael (April) Wedin of Fosston, MN, and Casey (Ashlee) Wedin of Grand Forks, ND; and her eleven grandchildren: Hannah, Miah, and Sophie Christianson; Christian, Robert, and Beau Wedin; Joe, Reese, and Luke Wedin; and Ty and Mya Wedin. She is also survived by her brothers, Mike (Sue) Sholes of Buckeye, AZ, and Les (Donna) Sholes of Golden Lake, ND, her sister, Janet King of Ownatonna, MN; as well as a special niece, Kaley Wilkinson of Victoria, MN.

Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Lorraine Sholes; her in-laws, Ivan and Vera Gorden; grandchildren, Tyler Christianson, Gunner Christianson, and Chloe Wedin; and her sister-in-laws, Beverly Gorden and Candy Gorden, as well as brother-in-law, Warren Gorden.

The family extends their profound gratitude to the doctors and nurses at MN Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN, for their compassionate care of Penny over her final nine months. They also express heartfelt thanks to the donor’s family, whose generous gift of organs extended Penny’s precious time with loved ones. A very special acknowledgment is reserved for her husband Grant, who stood unwaveringly by Penny’s side throughout those months, offering a shining example of unwavering and unconditional love.

Penny’s gentle spirit, her dedication to those she loved and served, and the vibrant way she embraced life’s joys leave an indelible mark on all who knew her. Though her loss is deeply felt, those who loved her find solace in knowing she is free from pain and her loving legacy endures.