Louise Venenga

Little Rock, Iowa Louise Venenga, age 85 of Little Rock, IA died Friday, December 12, 2008 at the Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, Dec. 16th at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA, with Rev. Brian Hellenga officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 15th, from 2:00 " 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Louise (Christians) Venenga was born on June 2, 1923, on a farm northeast of Little Rock, IA. She was the daughter of Cornelius and Lena (Odens) Christians. She lived in Lyon County all of her life and attended the Viola Township School. On January 28, 1943, she was united in marriage to Ted Venenga in Little Rock, IA. After a few years they purchased their family farm northeast of Little Rock. There they spent 65 wonderful years of marriage. Louise was a lifelong member of Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA. During her life Louise enjoyed gardening, raising chickens and selling eggs to neighbors and friends. Special outings Louise looked forward to included participating in craft sales, garage sales, and shopping with her daughters. It was not uncommon during these occasions to see her dressed in her favorite color red. Frequent wintertime hobbies were crocheting, quilting, and embroidering. Louises favorite past time was spending time with her grandchildren. Many fond memories were made on annual family trips to Branson, MO. Some of her favorite family traditions included weekly Sunday dinners, monthly birthday celebrations, and holiday gatherings. Along with fond memories, Louise also left many afghans, blankets, and embroidered kitchen towels for her cherished family members and friends. She will live in their hearts forever. This past Friday, December 12, Louise died at the Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of eighty-five. Louise is survived by her husband, Ted of Little Rock, IA, four daughters, Shirley Venenga of Little Rock, IA, Linda and her husband Glen Kruger of Dell Rapids, SD, Jolene and her husband Mike Hilbrands of Sioux Falls, SD, and Judy and her husband Pat Marchand of Sioux Falls, SD. Grateful for having shared her life are her grandchildren, Karla and Ben Gruis, Kevin and Jennifer Kruger, Kristina and Don Vanderlip, Kraig and Kelli Kruger, Nathan Hilbrands, Lucas Marchand, Katie Kruger and fianc Tim Kruse, Kelli Hilbrands, Jessica Marchand, Kari Hilbrands, Sarah Marchand, and three great-grandchildren, Brett, Kade, and Braden Gruis. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Lena, eight brothers, and one sister.