William "Bill" Vener
September 16, 1910 - October 3, 2002
William “Bill” Vener, age 92 of Melrose, died on Thursday, October 3, 2002 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7th at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Ken Thielman will officiate with interment following at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Ward Springs.
Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening.
William Vener was born on September 16, 1910 in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota to John and Cecelia (Pagi) Vener. He was united in marriage to Elvina Orth on May 18, 1937 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple farmed near the Ward Springs area all their lives. William retired at the age of 63 and stayed living on the farm until moving to Park View in Melrose 12 years ago. He enjoyed gardening and visiting with family and friends. William was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose.
He is survived by his two children, Gerald Vener and his wife, Chris of Minneapolis and Mark Vener and his wife, Mary Ann of Grey Eagle; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brother, Viv Vener of Melrose; sisters, Cecelia “Sis” Vener of Sauk Centre and Mary Leidenfrost of Little Falls.
William was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cecelia Vener; wife, Elvina Vener on October 9, 1996; son, David Vener; daughter, Patricia Niehaus; grandson, Wayne Niehaus; brothers, Joseph and Frank Vener; sisters, Sr. Dolorata Vener, Gertrude Grant and Elsie Ricker.
Serving as casket bearers will be Gene Vener, Andy Vener, Bobby Theisen, Joe Niehaus, Dale Niehaus and Gary Niehaus.
Arrangements are with Patton-Schad Funeral Service of Melrose.