Rosetta Venell

Rosetta Claudine Venell peacefully passed away February 8, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she was known for her wisdom, kindness, and strength. Rosetta touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church and her faith was an integral part of her life. Rosetta was born August 15, 1939 to Claus and Martha (Bertus) Brandt and was raised on her parents 112-acre ryegrass farm on the Muddy Creek near Oakville, Oregon. She was the third of four girls in her family and always considered herself her “father’s boy.” Rosetta truly enjoyed being outdoors and helping her father with the chores. At nine years old, she started driving a tractor-pulled mower in support of her parent’s custom harvesting business. Rosetta met Clarence Venell at a church youth rally in 1954 and they soon began dating. She graduated from Corvallis High School in 1957, and two days after graduation, she and Clarence were married on June 7, 1957 at Zion Lutheran Church in Corvallis, OR. Clarence and Rosetta purchased their first property of 340 acres in 1957. This became their home place and the start of their lifelong farming operations which expanded greatly throughout the years. She loved her home in the country and cherished every sunrise, sunset and rainbow after a storm. She was known in the community for her beautiful rose gardens and colorful flowers she planted every year. Rosetta and Clarence have two children, Larry Edward and Beverlee Elaine. In addition to farming, Rosetta was actively involved on numerous boards and commissions throughout her life including Citizens Bank, Oregon Women for Agriculture, Benton County Planning Commission, Oregon Seed Council, and the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, to name just a few. Often, she was the first woman to have served in a position on a board or commission. She was active with the Zion Lutheran Quilters until her death where she helped make over 100 quilts yearly which were donated to charities throughout the world. Rosetta loved to travel and fly. She earned her pilot’s license in 1964 and went on to achieve her instrument rating and commercial pilot’s license in 1967. She and Clarence explored many places together in the United States and abroad. They spent time on Maui each year and added fishing trips to Alaska and Canada as well as cruises and scenic train trips with family and friends. Even after Clarence passed away in 2022, Rosetta checked several destinations off her bucket list, including a visit to Australia to see her granddaughter Michelle and great granddaughter Ainslie. One of her last big trips was to see the start of the 2024 Iditarod in Anchorage, Alaska with her family. She is survived by her son Larry (Pam), and daughter Beverlee Stilwell (Jerry); four grandchildren, Chris Venell (Stephanie), Michelle Pope (Andrew), Sarah Licciardello (Ben), and John Venell; seven great grandchildren, Klair Maupin (Cade), Dally, and Kate Venell, Ainslie Pope, Joc, Cru and Vin Licciardello. She is also survived by her sister Eunice Aro, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Venell and her sisters Marlis Ann Hughes and Luella Cox. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Oregon Women for Agriculture, 630 Hickory St NW, Suite 120, PMB 50, Albany, OR 97321, or to Zion Lutheran Church, 2745 NW Harrison Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at 1:30pm, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2745 NW Harrison Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330.

Tributes

Rosetta Venell

August 15, 1939 - February 8, 2025