Alice A. Venetz

POLSON — Alice A. Venetz, 89, of Kalispell died peacefully Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Alice was born Dec. 5, 1915, in Earl, N.D., to Alphonso and Fannie Vulysteke. She and her five siblings lived on a homestead in western North Dakota. She graduated from high school in Sidney. Alice earned a nursing diploma from the Montana Deaconess School of Nursing in Great Falls. She worked as a nurse in Great Falls and Polson.

Alice married Gordon Hall during WW II and they had two sons, Douglas and Daniel. In 1949 she moved with her sons to Polson. She married Howard Venetz in 1951 and they had a daughter, Marilyn.

Alice and Howard enjoyed traveling together, visiting Hawaii, Europe and the Caribbean. Alice helped with their business, Flathead Electric Service, until Howard's untimely death in 1980. Together they built a retirement home near Big Arm in 1971. Her family enjoyed spending time there each summer. Her grandsons enjoy many memories of boating, campfires, catching frogs, and Gramma's chocolate zucchini cake.

Alice was an avid gardener, known for her beautiful flower gardens. She made many friends participating in local and state garden clubs. Alice was a dedicated mother and homemaker. She served as a 4-H leader for her daughter's 4-H group for six years. Alice was a "snowbird" to Mesa for over 20 years, enjoying the warm weather and company of fellow "snowbirds." She was a champion at shuffleboard and pool. Alice moved to Kalispell in 2002 to be close to her daughter, residing at Buffalo Hill Terrace and most recently at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Her husband Howard, son Douglas and her siblings, preceded her in death.

Alice is survived by her son Dan Venetz of Oceanside, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Gary Nyquist of Kalispell; grandsons Tyson and Chad Venetz and their mother Heidi Venetz of Tualatin, Ore., and grandson Ryan Nyquist of Bozeman.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Polson or to the Salvation Army.