Corliss J. “Cork”” Venema, 81, of Morrison, IL, died Monday, June 5, 2017, at Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison.
Cork was born November 10, 1935, in Clinton, IA, to Frank R. and Helen (Balk) Zuidema. She was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools and was a graduate of Fulton High School in Fulton, IL. She married Donald A. “Doc” Venema on March 27, 1956, in Fulton. Cork, along with her husband Doc, owned and operated Millview Feed Service of Morrison. She also owned and operated CJ’s Fashions in Fulton and was involved in several other home-based businesses. She was a member of Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton and served in the church’s Women’s Guild, as a Bible study leader, Sunday School teacher, and Choir Director. Cork was the church’s organist/pianist since the age of 14. She was a member of Gideon’s International Auxiliary and was a prayer warrior and spiritual mentor to many. She had served as an accompanist for many family, church, and community groups. She greatly enjoyed music and spending time with friends and family.
Survivors include her husband, Doc; two daughters, Deb (Steve) VanKampen and Shari (Gerry) Akker, both of Morrison; two sons, Allen Venema of Morrison and Dan (Tonya) Venema of Orange City, IA; an “adopted” daughter, Traci (Nick) McQuistion of Fulton; eight grandchildren, Angie (Steve) Piercy, Josh (Penny) VanKampen, Luke Akker, Cara Venema, Brooke Venema, Cole Venema, Joe McQuistion, and Pat McQuistion; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Julia VanKampen; one sister, Doris (Donald) Swanson of Shannon, IL; two brothers, Robert E. (Ardith) Zuidema and Dan Zuidema, both of Fulton; one step-sister, Sheryl (Larry) Huizenga of Fulton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one great-granddaughter, Emma June Piercy; two sisters, Rebecca Zuidema and Patricia Witt-Rus; one brother, Frank Zuidema, Jr.; one step-brother, Robert Houzenga.
FUNERAL: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton, IL
OFFICIATING: Rev. Ralph Beidler, Pastor of Spring Valley Reformed Church, Fulton, IL
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Clyde Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Memorials have been established to Gideon’s International and Spring Valley Reformed Church, Fulton, IL