Memorial

Betty Katherine Venis, age 97, of Cedar Rapids, IA passed away at her home in Cedar Rapids, IA surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Wednesday, September 14 from 4 to 6 PM. A funeral service will begin at 6:30 PM with the Reverends Mark Buck and Glenn Hunt officiating. A private interment will take place at the Cedar Memorial-Resthaven.

Betty was born on June 17, 1925 in Newton, Iowa. She was the daughter of the late Daniel C. and Dieuwke (Kalma) Toedt. She married the love of her life, George Venis on June 30, 1944, in Wichita, KS. She worked as a tax consultant for many years. Betty enjoyed gardening, bird watching, especially cardinals, flowers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping and fishing trips to her cabin in Canada as well as family trips to almost every state in the US. In her older years, she loved traveling to different countries including, Israel, Australia, and other countries in Europe. She was a longtime member of Eden and Hope UCC where she volunteered in several ministries throughout the church. She loved supporting and attending all of her grandkids and great-grandkids activities. “Bep” was, until the very end, a tough old farm girl at heart who seemed invincible in the face of many challenges in life. She will forever be remembered in the hearts of all who loved her for her infectious laugh and playful, strong, loving, and feisty spirit.

Those left to cherish Betty’s memory are her children, Vicki Brendes, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Diane Igram of Cedar Rapids, IA; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Leon) Bohn, Janelle Solberg, both of Cedar Rapids, IA, Hassan (Tracey Badura) Igram, of Omaha, NE, and Robby Igram of Cedar Rapids, IA; her great-grandchildren, Tristan, Melia, Sayde, Evan, Jacob, Justice, Fallyn, Karlee, Ella, and Parker. She was preceded in death by her husband George and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the ALS Research Foundation, and or the Hope UCC in Hiawatha.