Kenneth John Venhuizen, 83, of Morrison, IL, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL.
Kenny was born on July 10, 1937, in Sterling, to Thomas and Elizabeth Evangeline (Vandermyde) Venhuizen. He was educated in the Morrison grade schools and was a 1955 graduate of Erie High School. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force. On December 27, 1956, he married Nancy L. Slaymaker in Albany, IL. Kenny first worked at Western Electric in Columbus, OH. He then farmed in the rural Erie, Garden Plain, and Morrison, IL, areas his entire life. He was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison. Kenny was an avid collector and enjoyed restoring John Deere tractors. He loved watching and participating in tractor pulls, and was a Board Member of the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association. He also enjoyed bowling and weekly card games. Kenny’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, especially his grand- and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy; son, Thomas (Amy) Venhuizen of Morrison; daughter, Kimberly King of Morrison; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Craig) Vander Molen, Brad (Allie) Venhuizen, Kendra King, and Chelsea King; seven great-grandchildren, Judah, Hannah, Isaiah, and Elijah Vander Molen, Avery and Blaire Venhuizen, Bryce Brooker; sisters, Jane (George) Beckman of Bushnell, IL and Mary Venhuizen of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, James Venhuizen of Idaho Falls, ID.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Virginia Ann Venhuizen.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 28, 2020, at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison, IL. Rev. Luke Schouten, Pastor of Emmanuel Reformed Church will be officiating.
A Visitation at the church will precede the funeral, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial to Self Help Enterprises in Sterling, IL, has been established.