Mary Venhuis passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the age of 81 years, beloved wife of the late Fred Venhuis.  

Mary Vonkeman was born in Doetinchem, Gelderland, Netherlands on June 15, 1943; her family immigrated to Canada in 1950, and settled in near Iron Springs, Alberta. In her late teens, Mary moved to Lethbridge, lived with her sister and brother-in-law and worked at Automatic Electric. She married Fred Venhuis on July 25,1962. Shortly after, they moved to Brooks where they set up Quality Plumbing and bought their first home. In addition to doing the bookkeeping for the business, Mary’s days were filled with being a supportive wife, a loving mother to Cindy and Kevin, and an exceptional cook, homemaker, and gardener. The family attended the Brooks Christian Reformed Church, where Mary was involved as a leader for the Calvinettes girls club, and was active in various church ministries. She lived her faith every day with hope and love, rooted in it, knowing that “God stood by her and gave her strength” (2 Timothy 4:17).

Fred and Mary lived in Brooks for over twenty years, moving to Medicine Hat in 1988. For a time, Mary worked at a fabric store and volunteered at the Wellington Retirement Community.  Mary found joy in planning and preparing delicious food for her “hubby”, family and friends, in tending her garden and flower beds, in quilting and crafting.  When her declining mobility no longer allowed her stay in her home, Mary moved to the Medicine Hat Care Community in May 2024. She died at St Joseph’s Covenant Care Center on January 13, 2025, eleven days after Fred’s passing. They are together again and with their loved ones in heaven where there is “no more death or mourning or crying or pain”. (Rev 21:4)

Mary was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters. She is greatly missed and survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy Venhuis and Ian Sangster; her son Kevin; and her sister Ina (Cor) Brouwer. Mary is fondly remembered by her extended family, her “crafting family”, her neighbors and friends.

The memorial service for Mary and Fred will take place at the Pattison Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Centre on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant David Townsend officiating. 

The service will be live streamed.  Please use this link https://youtube.com/live/7FzBHU_eQDQ?feature=share or select the "access video" button below.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.