Ellie Veneman

BURLEY – On May 7, 2017, heaven gained a beautiful soul. Marie Ellie Veneman, 74, of Burley, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones.

Ellie was born September 20, 1942, in Ashton, Idaho, to Erwin Spitz and Goldie Whitmore Spitz. She grew up and attended school in Ashton. On August 1, 1960, she married Ronald Lee Veneman and moved to Burley. In Burley, Ellie was called to Zion Lutheran Church to serve in what would become her lifelong passion of teaching children and sharing the gospel. She taught kindergarten there for more than 20 years and then established the Zion Lutheran Pre-School and Daycare where she served as Administrator for many years. Ellie touched countless children's lives over the years and loved each and every one of them.

Ellie considered her family to be the greatest blessing in her life. She loved family get-togethers and cherished every moment spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, horseback riding and completing puzzles and crossword puzzles.

Ellie is survived by her children, Scott (Kellie) Veneman of Alamosa, Colo., and Valrie (Daryl) Scott of Heyburn, Idaho; her grandchildren, Ryan (Kayla) Veneman, Casey Veneman, Andrew (Bambie) Praegitzer, and Kylee Praegitzer; her great-grandchildren, Kaden Veneman, Ella Veneman, Jaycee Anderson, Aubree Anderson, Aven Praegitzer, and Ryker Winmill.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; brothers, Boyd Spitz, Leo “Bud” Spitz, and Bruce Spitz; sisters, Elaine Olson, and Phyllis Hess.

The family would like to thank Intermountain Homecare & Hospice and also Ellie's dear friend and sister-in-law, Carma Knutson for the exceptional care provided to Ellie the past two months.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2410 Miller Ave., in Burley, with the Rev. Gerald Rabe officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.

A visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2017, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Camp Perkins in memory of Ellie.