Lidvina Vener

Lidvina Mary (Finken) Vener, age 98 of Sauk Centre, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Cerenity Care Center in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Lidvina “Lavina” was born on November 5, 1924 to Frances (Stangler) and Frank Finken. Her mother was born in Riebnig, Austria. Frances met Frank in Stearns County after her family immigrated to the US when she was a toddler. Lavina was a member of St. Paul’s parish from her baptism to her first communion through confirmation and marriage. She attended St. Paul’s Elementary School.

When she married Donald J. Vener of Sauk Centre/Ward Springs, they moved to Moorhead, Minnesota where they lived for more than 20 years raising their family of three children. They were active in St. Joseph’s Parish and the community. Throughout her life, she was a member of the Christian Mothers. Lavina and Don returned to Sauk Centre upon retirement where they enjoyed 27 more years together.

Lavina was devoted to her family and friends—always ready to help and support and put her know-how to work for others. She was curious and interested in learning new skills. She and a few friends were often enrolled in classes to learn crafts such as candle making, cake decorating, upholstery, quilting, and sewing. She loved children and they loved her. She frequently put her creative skills to work for children in her care and they appreciated her genius. She could conjure an entire make-up artist’s palette out of kitchen food stuffs and delight children with painting their faces on rainy afternoons. 

Lavina especially enjoyed nature and the outdoors. Her children remember her fondly for the delight she took in every-day small but remarkable things such as the growth habits of trees and the beauty of sunrises. She looked at these things with wonder and awe.

Lidvina leaves behind three children, Diane Vener, Beverly (Vener) Atwood and husband, Tom Atwood, Larry Vener, and her grandson, Zachary Atwood and his fiancé, Susan Anderson. She will be greatly missed by family members and friends. They will cherish the many wonderful memories they shared with her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.