Francis Venteicher

Francis William Venteicher, 67, of Jefferson, passed away Mar. 3 at his home with his family by his side.

Francis was born on January 16, 1947 in Jefferson and he was the son of William Herman Venteicher and Frances Elizabeth Fossing Venteicher. Francis grew up in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School. After high school, he began farming; planting corn and soy beans. Francis loved his garden and loved to make his own V8 juice from the vegetables he grew.  He also loved the outdoors and would spend much of his time in the winter hunting deer.  He loved to make deer jerky and deer bolognas.

On March 6, 1993 Francis was united in marriage to Marilyn Wind at their home in Jefferson.  They shared over 20 wonderful years together.

Francis is survived by his wife Marilyn of Jefferson; his sons:  Eugene Venteicher (Kristin) of Dale City, Virginia and Terry Venteicher (Cathy) of Des Moines; his daughters:  Kay Venteicher-Shulman (Tom Burrell) of Woodbridge, Virginia and Shelly Reed (Sean) of Jefferson; step-children:  Laura Wind Norton (Rob) of Merrill, Wisconsin, Lisa Wind of Des Moines and Brian Wind of La Crosse, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Glenda Venteicher of Bagley; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Velma; and three brothers: Gene, Marian and Ivan.

Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, 515-386-2171, www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com