Peni H. Mounga Sr.

Peni Havea Mounga Sr., 72, of Aberdeen, South Dakota passed away Saturday, August 27th, 2022, at Doughtery Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD while surrounded by his beloved family. He was born in Lotofoa Ha’apai, Tonga to Vai and Melenaite Fiotuu Mounga, along with his siblings Samiuela, Tupou Lotolangi, Hetueni Fehoke, Leimoni, Penoni, Heikoti, Makelesi Longo, Salome, Tevita, Sione, Tafokilea, Tupou Falekakala, Ele, and Fangu Fangu.

Peni immigrated to Hawaii where he met Adelaide Puanani Aina and was married on December 12th, 1972 in Hau’ula, Hawaii. There they were blessed with and raised Peni Jr., Salesi, and Samuiela. He moved his family to Utah in pursuit of better opportunities, where his family would be made whole with the births of DJ and Adelaide. His family was his pride and joy, and he dedicated his life to providing them with a comfortable lifestyle. They were all sealed in the Jordan River temple on June 26, 1982.

Peni grew to be a proud and longtime resident of the Kearns, Utah community, where he helped to establish the original men’s Kearns Rugby Club. His passion for sports and competition would be shared with anyone that would give heed to his counsel, for in his mind, everyone was a winner and had potential. His children were perhaps the greatest beneficiaries of this mantra, where they learned to apply these valuable lessons, resulting in every child earning a college education and completing a degree.

He and his wife relocated to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 2005 to be with their children and grandchildren. While there, he enjoyed a fulfilling life of gardening, fishing, walking and loved spending time attending his grandchildren’s events and teasing them. He took great pride in his children as they served the Aberdeen community in the capacity of law enforcement, higher education, and business. Peni was proud of their dedication to their families and church. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and often shared his testimony.

Peni was survived in death by his wife, Adelaide; his four sons and their wives, Peni & Connie, Salesi & Lose, Samiuela & Susan, DJ & Jordan; and his daughter Adelaide (Adele); his seventeen grandchildren, Salesi Jr, Peni Jr, Melia, Sami, Jade, Kiana, Zeezrom, Ilima, Eme, Amiotonu, Meleane, DJ (Polo), Lesieli, Connie, Ilaisa (Utu), Bensimani and Feke.

Peni’s funeral services will take place on Friday, September 9, 2022, at the Orem 8th Tongan ward located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel, 150 E 600 N, Orem, Utah. His service will begin at 9:00 AM and he will be laid to rest at the Provo Cemetery in Provo, Utah. A memorial service in Aberdeen, SD will be held at a later date.

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