Thomas William Venzke

1934-2025

Thomas William Venzke, age 91, of Athens, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milan. Reverend Michael Mathey officiated. Visitation was at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. The honor of serving as pallbearers was held by his grandsons, Kelby Lechleitner, Xavier Lechleitner, Brandon Venzke, Austin Weiler; and sons-in-law, Gary Lechleitner, and Bruce Weiler. A burial followed after the service at Bethlehem Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Colby VFW Post #2227. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements.

Thomas was born on Jan. 29, 1934, the son of Henry and Elsie Venzke, in the town of Holton. He attended the Town of Holton Barry School through eighth grade and then worked on the family farm. Tom served in the Air Force in 1952 through 1956, where he completed his GED and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 2016, Tom was a recipient of the Honor Flight with his grandson, Brandon, as his chaperone.

He was united in marriage to Dolores Schmidt on June 15, 1957 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens.

In 1956 Tom purchased his uncle’s farm in the Town of Johnson. He dairy farmed from 1956-1995 and crop farmed until 2019.

Tom took pleasure in planting and harvesting sweet corn to share with his family and friends. During the winter, Tom enjoyed logging his woods, where he befriended a partridge who would eat from his hand. This unique friendship lasted eight years.

For the next 22 years, he wintered in Yuma, Arizona, where he golfed and played water volleyball. Tom’s hobbies included bowling, fishing, and hunting, with many trips to Alaska and out west. Tom showed his dedication to his church by holding the roles of trustee, elder, and president along with serving on the finance committee.

Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Dolores, of 68 years; his five children, Brian Venzke, of Milan, Jeff (Bonnie) Venzke, of Palmer, Alaska, Brenda (Bruce) Weiler, of Dorchester, Rick (Wanda) Venzke, of Cumberland, and Connie (Gary) Lechleitner, of Edgar; twelve grandchildren, Jordan (Bryan) Dahms, Kendal (Nicholas) Blohm, Carly Venzke, April Weiler (fiancé, Alex Solawetz), Amber Weiler, Austin (Jade) Weiler, Crystal (Andrew) Sargent, Brandon (Tami) Venzke, Kelby (Liz) Lechleitner, Cedric Lechleitner, Kia Lechleitner and Xavier (Taylor) Lechleitner; sixteen great-grandchildren, Landon, Tieghan, Adalyn, Raelyn Dahms, Piper, Braun, Sable Blohm, Beau Solawetz, Greylen, Nayvie, Maela Weiler, Madilyn Harder, Connor, Quinn Sargent, Ryker, Henry Venzke; with three more on the way. He is further survived by one sisterin- law, Nathlie Venzke and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Elsie Venzke; infant brother, Walter Venzke; two brothers, Fred and Marvin Venzke; one sister, Luella Wegan; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Venzke.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

Paid Obituary 177439