Francis J. "Frank" Venneman, 95, of Parsons, passed away peacefully at 3:10 A.M., Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, Kansas.
Frank was born May 11, 1921, in rural Walnut, Kansas, the sixth of seven children, to Leo and Agnes (Hofer) Venneman. He graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul and attended Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas.
He worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita and Hutchinson for two years before entering the United States Army Air Corps in 1943. Frank became a bomber pilot. After World War II, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1981.
Frank worked as a salesman for National Biscuit Company in Chillicothe, Missouri, and later for Martha Washington Candy Company in Ft. Worth, Texas. Frank continued his civilian career as a purchasing agent at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons from 1953 until his early retirement in 1977.
He was a member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church, now St. Patrick's, in Parsons. He continued to practice his faith at Prairie Mission and St. Francis Church in St. Paul until his death.
In 1957, Frank and Martha "Ruth" (LeVan) Brooks were married. He immediately became the Dad for Ruth's two sons. After retiring, Ruth and Frank traveled extensively. She preceded him in death on August 2, 1992.
In addition to traveling, Frank enjoyed reading, winters in Arizona, going to casinos with friends and family, and discussing current events. He was a great storyteller. He could often be seen walking his well-trained dog. Being part of "the greatest generation," Frank was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a patriot. He was always proud of where he came from, and he chose to return to St. Paul when he decided it was time.
Survivors include his stepsons: Michael J. Brooks and wife Judy of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Stephen R. Brooks and his wife Blanca of Milford, Michigan; three grandchildren –Stephen R. Brooks, Jr., Susan K. Gehrig, and Jennifer C. Wroblewski; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. According to Frank's wishes, Mike and Steve will carry his ashes up Picacho Peak in Arizona, where he will be placed with Ruth to watch the sun rise over the desert. A memorial mass at St. Francis Catholic Church will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Church in St. Paul. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis J. "Frank" Venneman, please visit our flower store.
Frank was born May 11, 1921, in rural Walnut, Kansas, the sixth of seven children, to Leo and Agnes (Hofer) Venneman. He graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul and attended Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas.
He worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita and Hutchinson for two years before entering the United States Army Air Corps in 1943. Frank became a bomber pilot. After World War II, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1981.
Frank worked as a salesman for National Biscuit Company in Chillicothe, Missouri, and later for Martha Washington Candy Company in Ft. Worth, Texas. Frank continued his civilian career as a purchasing agent at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons from 1953 until his early retirement in 1977.
He was a member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church, now St. Patrick's, in Parsons. He continued to practice his faith at Prairie Mission and St. Francis Church in St. Paul until his death.
In 1957, Frank and Martha "Ruth" (LeVan) Brooks were married. He immediately became the Dad for Ruth's two sons. After retiring, Ruth and Frank traveled extensively. She preceded him in death on August 2, 1992.
In addition to traveling, Frank enjoyed reading, winters in Arizona, going to casinos with friends and family, and discussing current events. He was a great storyteller. He could often be seen walking his well-trained dog. Being part of "the greatest generation," Frank was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a patriot. He was always proud of where he came from, and he chose to return to St. Paul when he decided it was time.
Survivors include his stepsons: Michael J. Brooks and wife Judy of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Stephen R. Brooks and his wife Blanca of Milford, Michigan; three grandchildren –Stephen R. Brooks, Jr., Susan K. Gehrig, and Jennifer C. Wroblewski; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. According to Frank's wishes, Mike and Steve will carry his ashes up Picacho Peak in Arizona, where he will be placed with Ruth to watch the sun rise over the desert. A memorial mass at St. Francis Catholic Church will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Church in St. Paul. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis J. "Frank" Venneman, please visit our flower store.
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