Donald A. “Doc” Venema, 91, of Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, IL, died Tuesday October 13, 2026, at Resthave.
Doc was born August 25, 1935, in Newton Township, Whiteside County, IL, to George J. and Annie (Huizenga) Venema. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools and was a graduate of Fulton High School. On March 27, 1956, he married Corliss J. “Cork” Zuidema in Fulton. They spent 61music-filled years together before her passing on June 5, 2017. Doc was a jack of many trades, driving the Clystic School bus, mowing the roads for the Township, and working for Ebbers construction. He and his wife owned and operated the Millview Feed Service in Morrison for many years. When he was young he farmed, because he had to; when he was older he farmed, because he wanted to! Doc was a member of Spring Valley Reformed Church, a where he served as an Elder and Deacon, and was a Sunday School Superintendent. Music ministry was a large part of Doc and Cork’s lives; he sang in the church choir and enjoyed playing the bass guitar. He was also involved with Gideons International, was a board member of the Clystic School District, and was on the board of Self Help Enterprises. Above all, his family was his pride and joy, and he especially cherished his grandchildren.
Survivors include his daughters, Deb (Steve) VanKampen and Shari (Gerry) Akker, both of Morrison; sons, Allen Venema of Morrison and Dan (Tonya) Venema of Orange City, IA; honorary daughter, Traci (Nick) McQuistion of Fulton; eight grandchildren, Angie VanKampen, Josh (Penny) VanKampen, Luke (Erica) Akker, Cara (Asa) Visser, Brooke (Toby) Hartman, Cole (Julie) Venema, Joe (Krystle) McQuistion, Pat (Brittany) McQuistion; eight great-grandchildren, Olivia and Julia, Willamina, Evangeline, and Kinzie, Johnathon, Patrick, and Gideon; sisters, Mildred “Pinky” (Vernon) Van Dyke of Morrison and Mary Jean Wiersema of Sterling, IL; one brother, Calvin (Paula) Venema of Atkinson, IL; sister-in-law, Ruth Venema of Fulton, IL; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Corliss; great-granddaughter, Emma June Piercy; brother, Robert Venema; brother-in-law, Leroy Wiersema.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton, IL, with Rev. Paul Wissink officiating.
Interment will be in North Clyde Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
Memorials are established to Spring Valley Reformed Church and Gideons International.