A funeral service for Richard Donald Vens, 93, of Wheatland, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 (today), at SS Philip & James Catholic Church, Grand Mound. Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 4-7 p.m. at the Schultz Funeral Home, Grand Mound, where a rosary was said at 3:30 p.m.
Mr. Vens died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at his home.
Richard Vens was born Sept. 18, 1926, the son of August and Bertha (DeDobbelaere) Vens. He graduated from Wheatland High School in 1943.
He married Betty Jane Heick on Nov. 27, 1948, at St. James Catholic Church, Toronto, Iowa. She died March 16, 1990. He later married Deanna (Endorf) VanderHeiden on Oct. 11, 1992, at St. James Catholic Church, Toronto.
He farmed all his life until he handed the operation of the farm down to his oldest grandson, John Looney.
He was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church, now Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Toronto.
Survivors include his wife, Deanna; his children, Vicky (William) Looney, Deborah (Mark) Regan, Shelley (William) Hesse, and Sheila Vens; his stepchildren, Dennis VanderHeiden (Kimberly Lopez), Daniel (Jean) VanderHeiden, Debra (David) Lahann, and Diane (Russell) Jones; his grandchildren, Brenda (Chris) Oehler, John (Rachael) Looney, Melissa (Robert) Pence, and Kurt (Karleen) Looney, Ryan Regan, Matthew (Susie) Regan, Rachel Regan, Jessica Long, and Brady (Leann) Long, Michael (Angie) VanderHeiden, Mathew (Rachelle) VanderHeiden, Jennifer (Josh) Angus, Tammy (Mark) Tiedt, Stacy VanderHeiden (Kyle Martz), Michelle (Adam) Densmore, Nicole (Allen) Phillips, Kelli (Dave) Hugo, Megan Lahann (Chris Nicholson), Brittni Jones (Michael Harlson), and Brian Jones (Cassidy Cruise); and 40 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson; two great-grandsons; a sister, Dorothy Schroeder; and his twin brother, Robert Vens.
Online condolences may be made at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.