Brenda Gay Venaas

Brenda was born September 12, 1943 in Buffalo Hart, the daughter of Palmer and Flossie Bryant. She married Fred Venaas on July 27, 1962 in Collinsville; he preceded her in death on September 19, 2004.

Brenda was a graduate of Tri-City High School. She worked as a nurse at Memorial Medical Center for over 20 years until she retired. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Book Club through the Chatham Library. She enjoyed genealogy, gardening and writing. She loved politics and playing games like Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Shanghai and Pictionary.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Kevin Venaas; and siblings, Lloyd Bryant, Shirley Buraski, Donna Lane, Wanda Lagaska, and Ronald Bryant.

She is survived by her son, Mark (Chris) Venaas of Oswego; daughter, Melissa (Lee) Thompson of Renton, WA; two grandchildren, Josh (Cheyenne) and Matt (Alden) Venaas; great-grandson, Noah Venaas; brother, David (Donna) Bryant of Crossville, TN; sister, Freda (Ralph) Poe of Gibson City.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave West, Springfield.

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, with Galen Broaddus, secular celebrant, officiating. Burial will follow at Salisbury Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Daughters of the American Revolution, 235 N. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, IL 62711.