Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Oliver, Venice Nora 2007
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net September 1, 2010, 8:29 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Wednesday, January 2, 2008


Venice Nora Oliver of Grand Ledge, formerly of Ionia, passed away Friday 
morning, December 28, 2007 at the age of 83.  

Born November 14, 1924 in Pewamo, Venice was the only child of Andrew and 
Elizabeth (Fanny) Vance.  Venice grew up on what was a centennial farm just 
north of Pewamo, and is now the Huckleberry Creek Golf Course.  An outstanding 
student, Venice graduated as salutatorian from the Pewamo High School class of 
1941.  Venice then attended Central State Teachers College in Mt. Pleasant 
(now Central Michigan University), and graduated in June of 1945.  Venice 
taught in the Reed City School District for a year and the married Robert L. 
Oliver of Frankfort, Mich. (who she met at Central Michigan University) on 
August 17, 1946.  The couple moved to Ann Arbor, and while Venice worked to 
support them, Bob (aided by the G.I. Bill) earned his M.A. degree at the 
University of Michigan.

The couple moved to Ionia around 1950, and became teachers in the Ionia School 
System, where they were to stay for 32 years.  For five years, during the 
summers, the couple operated the Frankfort Public Golf Course for the Chamber 
of Commerce.  

Daughters Julie (in 1955) and Norma (in 1957) were born, and Bob continued 
teaching, while Venice became a full-time homemaker, substitute teacher, and 
worked closely with the ladies of the local Presbyterian Church in Ionia.  

Bob retired from teaching, and the couple moved back to Bob’s birthplace in 
Frankfort in 1981.  For the next 17 wonderful years, Venice and Bob “wintered” 
in the Coachwood Mobile Park in Leesburg, Fla. from November to April.  The 
rest of the year (April to November) the couple built a permanent home at 128 
Maple Street in Frankfort and owned a “summer retreat” high on the bluffs in 
the Michabou Shores subdivision right on Lake Michigan.  In 1999 Venice was 
diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery and survived, going into remission.  
In 2005, when Venice was faced with failing health, the couple sold their 
properties “up north”, and moved some 188 miles southeast to Grand Ledge to be 
near their daughter Norma and son-in-law Jim.  The couple became residents of 
Independence Village in Grand Ledge in May of 2005.  

Venice loved to read, enjoyed travel, and enjoyed being with family, and their 
life-long friends form Ionia, Leesburg, Florida and Frankfort.  Venice and Bob 
were also lifetime members of the Benzie County Historical Society, members of 
the Friends of Pointe Bessie Lighthouse and avid users of the local libraries 
wherever they lived.  Daughter Norma said “Mom had an instant and wonderful 
simile for everyone.  Mom was a quiet, loving, and kind person to all.  In her 
later years, she suffered health problem with a quiet dignity, and was such a 
trooper.  Those who knew her well loved her dearly.  She was the definition of 
a gentle soul.”

Venice is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert L. Oliver; by daughter 
Julie Oliver of Mt. Pleasant; and by daughter Norma Haase and husband Jim of 
Grand Ledge.

The family will hold private services only.  Interment will be in the Crystal 
Lake Township North Cemetery in Frankfort, Michigan, with all arrangements by 
Peters and Murray Funeral Home in Grand Ledge.


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