Venard, Bertha (Mrs. George) 1865-1936

VENARD, BELL

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

Venard, Mrs. Geo L. born Oct 23, 1865 nee’ Bertha Bell, died Aug 1936

Hawarden Independent Aug 27, 1936

Mrs. G. L. Venard, long time resident of this city and community, passed away at 1 o'clock Saturday morning in Seattle, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Venard left Hawarden on June 9th to spend the summer at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Harold G. King, in Seattle. Soon after reaching Seattle she complained of distress in her right side which developed into intense pain. Following the advice of her surgeon, Dr. Robert Forbes, she entered a hospital in Seattle on July 7th and two days later submitted to an operation. On Aug. 2nd she was removed to the home of her daughter where she remained until her death.

All five of her children living in the middle west went to Seattle three weeks ago to visit her and after spending a week there returned home again, leaving Seattle on the return trip just a week prior to her death. Accompanied by Mr. Venard and daughter, Mrs. King, the remains were brought to Hawarden, arriving here late Tuesday night, relatives and friends from here meeting the train bearing the funeral party at Elk Point.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in this city at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon with Rev. James J. Davies of Sioux City, former Hawarden pastor, preaching the funeral sermon, assisted by Rev. J. G. Waterman, pastor of the Methodist church here. Six of her grandsons, George Venard of Tracy, Minn.; Raymond Venard of Parker, S, D., and Wayne and Paul Venard and Harold Gene and Earl Slife Jr. of Hawarden were pall bearers. Interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery.

Bertha Estella Bell was born near Davenport, Iowa, May 29, 1865, so was past 71 years of age at the time of her death. She spent her early girlhood days near Davenport, later moving with her parents, Thomas and Mary Bell, to Wilton, Iowa, where she attended the Wilton Academy. At the Academy she met George L. Venard whom she married on January 1, 1885. For the first four years following their marriage they live in Nebraska and then moved to » farm near Aurelia, Iowa, where they lived until coming to this community thirty-five years ago, at which time they purchased a farm three miles north of Hawarden. They lived on this farm for a period of twelve years when they retired from active farm life and moved into town and for the past twenty-three years have made their home in this city. They celebrated their golden wedding at their home here on January 1, 1935.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Venard, all of whom survive. The children are: Arthur Venard of Tracy, Minn.; Guy Venard of Hawarden; Mrs. Harold G. King of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Willard T. Greene of Sioux City; Harry Venard of Des Moines, and Mrs. Earl V. Slife of Hawarden. There are eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Carrie Anspach of Long Beach, Calif., a brother, Thomas H. Bell of Walnut Grove, Minn., and her beloved husband, George L. Venard.

Mrs. Venard united with the Methodist Episcopal church in early life and during her long residence in this community was ever a loyal and active worker in the church and its affiliated organizations. She was a woman of high ideals, friendly, neighborly, wholly unselfish, and was endowed with a true Christian character. She found her greatest joy in providing for the comfort and welfare of the members of her family and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to others in time of trouble and distress. Many old friends outside the family circle will mourn her passing. Out of town relatives and friends who attended the funeral were listed.