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Marci Penner

Author. Born: February 2, 1956, Inman, McPherson County, Kansas.

Marci Penner was born on February 2, 1956 in Inman, McPherson County, to parents Mill and V. (Lee) Penner. 

After graduating from high school in 1974, she went on attend the University of Kansas and received a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and film in 1979. She earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Wisconsin in 1985. She worked as an elementary counselor in Philadelphia before returning to Kansas in 1990.

Penner co-authored three Kansas guidebooks with her father, Mil Penner, Kansas Weekend Guide, Kansas Event Guide, and Kansas Weekend Guide II. She also authored 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook, and Kansas Guidebook for Explorers.

She and her father started their own 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization called Kansas Sampler Foundation located in Inman, to help rural communities. She serves as executive director of the organization. She is an advisor to KTWU’s Sunflower Journeys.

Penner has won many awards including Native Sons and Daughters’ Distinguished Kansan of the Year in 2005.

Entry: Penner, Marci

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: July 2016

Date Modified: April 2021

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.