Kathy Leigh (Donham) Venzke, 80, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away July 13, 2021, after a long and valiant battle against multiple myeloma.
On Saturday, July 24, 2021, friends and family are invited to an open house visitation to greet the family between 2-4 p.m., at the Environmental Education Center (2401 Scott Blvd, Iowa City). For those who wish to stay, a memorial service to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held at 4 p.m. in the same location. Private family burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery near Sharon Center, Iowa.
Kathy was born Feb. 3, 1941, in Iowa City to Harold (“Doc”) and Valta Donham. She graduated from City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. She worked as an occupational therapist in a 31-year career that included positions with Pleasantview Home, the University of Iowa, and Grant Wood Area Education Agency. She also ran several small businesses selling antiques, prairie plants, and flowers.
Kathy married Raymond Venzke in 1962 in Iowa City. They were married for more than 56 years, until Ray’s passing in 2019. Kathy held a lifelong love of nature and enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, and collecting artwork ranging from paintings to pottery. Above all else she loved her family and friends.
Kathy is survived by daughters: Julia Venzke (partner Jamie Ward) of Cedar Rapids, Kristina Venzke (husband Jeff Hermiston) of West Liberty, and Debra Venzke (husband Brett Cloyd) of Iowa City; grandchildren: Ben and Ruth Cloyd; brother: Kelley Donham; sister-in-law: Jean Donham of Iowa City; in-laws: Dale and Judy Venzke of Washington, Iowa and Janet and Gale Pierce of Cedar Rapids; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.lensingfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County, Iowa City Hospice, CommUnity Crisis Center, or Paws and More Animal Shelter.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Iowa City Hospice, The Bird House, and Legacy Senior Living for their compassionate care.
