Barleen Ann Venne's Obituary
Barleen Ann Venne, age 88, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 surrounded by her family who loved her. Barleen was born on September 5, 1928 to Hobart and Violet Kirsch in Cheboygan, Michigan. She was blessed with 2 daughters in her life. Barleen was retired from the State of Michigan, Dept. of Social Services where she worked as a Payments caseworker for 20 years in the Muskegon office. Early in life, she attended County Normal after graduation and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Cheboygan before starting a life in Muskegon. Barleen was a long-time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, played the organ and was a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League before becoming homebound. Barleen also taught piano for many years. She enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing cards, reading, working on the computer, and especially loved being with family and friends. She was a funny, compassionate, loyal, loving woman of God who will be deeply missed. Barleen is survived by her daughters, Robin Brand and Rebecca (Glen) Brand-Townsend; grandchildren, Katie (Charles) Bailey and Misty (Eric Bostrom) Conley; great-grandchildren, Briana, Kiah, Zaria, Zane, Keegan, Mason, Jaxon, Logan and Railyn; great-great-grandchildren, LillyAnn, Aila and Adalynn; brother, Hobart Kirsch; sisters, Thelma (George) Felski, Mary Marsh, Sally Bailey and Sandra (Robert) Root. She was preceded in death by her first husband Robert Brand; second husband, Phillip Venne; brothers, John and Herman Kirsch; and sister, Sue Madigan. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11AM on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 1215 E Apple Ave. VISITATION will be held from 9-11AM on Friday prior to the start of the service at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Noah Project.
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