Venna Marie Comar

August 5, 1915 - April 8, 2018

The soul of Venna Marie Comar winged its way to heaven on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Pine Valley Healthcare in Richland Center. She was born August 5, 1915, to George and Lolo Smith James of Richland Center, WI. November 25, 1937, she married Paul Comar, a dairy and beef farmer of Richland County. Venna graduated Richland Center high school in 1933, Richland County Teachers College in 1934 and with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Platteville in 1972. She taught rural Richland County schools for 25 years, as an in home teacher for 8 years, and then 10 years of Special Ed in Richland Center. As an exceptional and well liked teacher, she was still receiving holiday and birthday cards from many of her past students. Venna belonged to Eastern Star. She joined the Presbyterian Church in 1928 where she became an elder, a deacon, and a member of Circle. She was a 4-H leader for 10 years. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking, and projects of all kinds. She was always lending a helping hand to those who sought her help or advice. Venna and husband, Paul, never turned away a stray animal or child. The number of and some of the names have been lost of the county’s foster children who passed through their door. Some came for several days, weeks, or months. Others came for a life time. Venna leaves behind a daughter, Jo-Ann (Vernon) Neal of Markham, TX; foster son, Cary (Shirley) Barto of Waseca, MN; foster daughters, Patricia (Ryan) Coyne of Las Cruces, NM, Beatta Fisher (Charles) Catanzaro of Mundelein, IL, Nan Barto Nelson of Richland Center, WI; a sister, Emily Fish and a brother, Donald James both of Richland Center. She also leaves behind 5 grandchildren to forever cherish her precious memories, Lori Boyle Johnson, Heidi Gochenaur Hinkes, Amanda Gochenaur Kelsey, Jeffry Gochenaur and Darcee Guerrerro. She has 14 great grandchildren and the great-greats are still counting. Venna was preceded in death by her parents George and Lolo James; her husband Paul Comar; a daughter Mary Comar Boyle; 2 brothers Albion (Fuzz), and Raymond; a sister Phyllis Mullendore; foster daughter Bonnie Ferguson; and a grandson Lance Boyle. Funeral Services with a Eastern Star Service will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Pine Valley Healthcare Chapel with visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Burial will be held at the Richland Center Cemetery. The Clary Memorial Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. On line condolences can be made at www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com