Clare Venema

Dr. Clare Venema, 91, was welcomed by his Lord, Sunday November 27, 2022 after a long struggle with diabetes and Parkinson's Disease. He was born to Hermine Hieminga and Clarence J Venema in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 18, 1931. He graduated HS from Christian Reform schools and his undergraduate studies were at Calvin College, both in Grand Rapids. After graduation from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1957, Dr. Venema dedicated his life to the dental profession, immediately serving in the Public Health Service as a dentist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the Pine Ridge (Oglala Sioux Reservation), SD and then for The US Coast Guard in CA.

Clare married Fayetteville, Arkansas native, Marleen McKeehan in 1956 and in 1962 "Dr. V," as he was affectionately known, moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, established a private dental practice, and raised a family of five children. He later married Goli "June" Amery and was married for 35 years, from 1987 till his death.

For fifty years he contributed to Fayetteville as a dentist and educator. He used his profession as a ministry to assist the disadvantaged, and for 42 years volunteered his services to the Fayetteville Youth Dental Program (Altrusa) at west campus FHS & to LifeStyles of Fayetteville.

Dr. V was an enthusiastic member of the evening Lion's International Services for the Blind for 30+ years, serving twice as club president. He enjoyed raising money for the Lion's by working at the Razorback games as an avid Razorback fan, and by selling Christmas trees.

Clare was a devoted Christian - had given his life and heart to Jesus Christ as his savior - and served as a deacon as well as the first sound engineer of First Baptist Church, Fayetteville. He appreciated traveling and took the family on many trips around the entire continental US in a station wagon. Dr. V was a "driveway mechanic," prankster, jokester, a life-long learner, and he loved to share his knowledge with his kids.

Dr. Venema is preceded in death by former wife of 27 years, Marleen Venema; parents, Clare and Mimi Venema; Sister, Joan Lois Duininck; son, Craig Douglas Venema and step-son Raza Abdul Amery. Survivors include his wife Goli "June" Venema of his home; two brothers: Jay Norman Venema (Jan), of Grand Rapids, MI, and John Edward Venema (Patsy), of Denver, CO; one son, Chris Manning Venema of Fayetteville; three daughters: Karen Lynn Hunter (Steven) of Charleston, AR, Kathryn Joan Venema (Rick Kirby), and Kimberly Gayle Puckett (Chris), both of Fayetteville; and a step-daughter, Sahar Amery of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is grandfather to nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Friends are welcome to come to 1559 Hope St. Fayetteville, Arkansas this Saturday, December 10, from 2-4 for a time of remembrance and celebration. In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorials be to The Parkinson's Foundation @parkinson.org. or Huntingtons Disease Society of America @hdsa.org.