Geraldine Mae ‘Gerry’ Venishnick, 88

Geraldine Mae “Gerry” Venishnick, 88, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Family services will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Gerry was born on Oct. 10, 1928, in Ray, N.D., to George and Edna Johnson. The family moved to Idaho in 1938, and Gerry graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1946. She married William Neu Jr. on Feb. 26, 1947, in Coeur d’Alene. They made their home in Hope, Idaho, and raised four children. Mr. Neu passed away in 1980.

Gerry married Joseph Venishnick on Oct. 17, 1987, in Sandpoint. They made their home in Post Falls until Joe’s death in 2011.

Gerry was active in the Historical Society, First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint and Peace Lutheran Church in Post Falls. She was an accomplished painter, enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, cooking, reading, and keeping a nice home where family and friends were always welcome.

She is survived by her four children, Connie (David) Bro of Liberty Lake, Wash., Larry (Colleen) Neu of Sandpoint, Carol (Jerry) Wootan of Blanchard, and Gary (Julie) Neu of Moses Lake, Wash.; two step-children, Joe (Angelica) Venishnick of Connecticut, and Hildi (David) Berard of Havasu, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Russell (Arlene) Johnson of Pocatello, Idaho, and Ronald (Linda) Johnson of Post Falls; and sister-in-law Bonnie Miller of Sandpoint.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands William Neu Jr. and Joseph Venishnick; and two stepdaughters, Andrea Carlson and Antonea Gilstad.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Gerry’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.