Duane Venner

Duane Joseph Venner, died Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Intermountain Health Hospice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado with his wife of 60 years, Mary Venner, at his side. His children Lisa Venner Gill and Dan Venner were with their parents, sitting bedside throughout Duane’s hospitalization. A photo of Duane with his eight siblings was present with him at his passing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Newcomer and online condolences may be made to the family at newcomerdenver.com.  A Celebration of Life will be held in Denver in the early summer of 2026.

Duane is survived by his wife Mary (Bundy) Venner, daughter Lisa Venner Gill (Christopher) of Anchorage, Alaska and grandchildren Sydney Gill (Jack Connolly) and Taylor Gill; son Daniel (Christina) of Liberty, Missouri and granddaughters Emmy Claar (Sara) and Grace Venner; brothers Jerry Venner (Phyllis), David Venner (Linda), Gary Venner (Marleen), Don Venner (Sue), sisters Marilyn Domke and Patricia Vitrone (Bob), and sister in law Marlys Venner. He was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Mary Venner, brothers Jim Venner, and Tom Venner (Bonnie), brother-in-law Bernard Domke and sister-in-law Patsy Venner.

Duane was married to Mary Bundy Venner on September 25,1965 in Denver, Colorado. Duane was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin on July 13, 1937, the third child of nine to dairy farmers Frances and Mary Venner of Genoa, Wisconsin. He attended Marquette University earning his Bachelor's of Civil Engineering and later obtained his Juris Doctorate at the University of Denver. Duane worked for the National Park Service at the Denver Service Center for more than 30 years. He also served with FEMA and the Bureau of Reclamation. He shared his passion for National Parks with his children and grandchildren through a lifetime of family camping excursions throughout the US, with a particular affection for Yellowstone, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion, Acadia, and Denali. Duane was an avid cyclist who commuted to work almost every day by bike regardless of weather. He passed his love of bikes on to his children. A family highlight was completing the Ride the Rockies at age 70 with both his daughter Lisa and son Danny riding with him.

Duane led a life of service to others through volunteerism. Duane served as a reading tutor at Newlan Elementary for several years. Duane was the neighborhood repair man and air pump tire service for any child with a bike. He served as a volunteer docent for over 25 years at the Denver Museum Of Nature & Science leading school tours, carts talking dinos, and special exhibits. He had a contingent of preschoolers who made a habit of discussing whales with him and missed him if he wasn’t there.

Duane’s appreciation of music and arts was shared with his two music teacher children, and he proudly attended their college concerts and professional teaching of elementary music concerts. His joy for life was shared with his four grandchildren on bike rides, camping excursions, tide pooling, and driving his RV into places no sane person would attempt. Duane was much beloved as an uncle and grandpa, as he often was easily as enthusiastic and mischievous as the children he was allegedly stewarding.

Memorials in Duane’s name may be directed to the organizations below or charity of your choice:

Intermountain Health Hospice

3110 No Lutheran Parkway

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2001 Colorado Blvd

Denver, CO 80205

National Park Foundation

1500 K Street NW, Suite 700

Washington DC, 20005

Rocky Mountain PBS

2101 Arapahoe St.

Denver, CO 80205

Colorado Public Radio

PO Box 17429

Denver, CO 80217