Sister Venard Venus died August 26, 2009, at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 99 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 78 years. She was born in Gorham, KS on February 13, 1910 to John and Johanna Donovan Venus, the third of four children, and was baptized Mabel Cecelia. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on September 7, 1930. On March 19, 1931, Mabel received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Venard. She pronounced first vows on March 20, 1933 and final vows on August 15, 1936.

Sister Venard received a BME in music education from Marymount College in Salina, KS in 1940. In 1954 she received a MME in music education from Chicago Music College, Chicago, IL. She taught in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Herndon, Salina, Damar, Leoville, Beloit, Park, Junction City, Tipton and Oakley, KS; Chicago and St. George, IL; Grand Island, NE and Lake Linden, MI. In 1991, Sister Venard retired to Medaille Center in Salina, KS and moved to Nazareth Motherhouse in 2001.
Sister Venard was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister. A Bible Vigil Service will be (was) held Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Mary Jo Thummel as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be (was) Friday, August 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel Fr. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6 ^th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Venard may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.