Mary Lou Carol Venard, 70

Mary Lou Carol Whitney Venard of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, passed away on April 6, 2023, surrounded by family.

Mary Lou was born in Sheridan, Mont., on May 21, 1952, to Charles Edward and Mary Gerlean Whitney and raised in Twin Bridges with her siblings, Charles, Ellen (Susanne), George (Michael) and John. She graduated from Twin Bridges High School in 1970.

Mary Lou married Robert Milsaps in 1970 but they divorced soon after. Mary Lou’s first daughter, Charlean, was born in 1972. In 1973, Mary Lou married Dale Clark. They lived at various places in Montana, Oregon and Idaho, ending in Moyie Springs, Idaho, in 1988 with their four children, Charlean (whom Dale adopted), Bernice, Charles (Ronald) and Sherie. Mary Lou and Dale separated and eventually divorced. Later, a friend introduced Mary Lou to Paul Venard. The two married in 1992, then moved to Bonners Ferry in 1997.

Mary Lou worked various odd jobs, but she invested most of her time as a wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma (nanna). Mary Lou was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She loved music. She also enjoyed photography, bargain hunting and working with her hands. Mary Lou developed a passion for rocks and gems, which she avidly shared with family and friends and at vendor fairs.

Mary Lou delighted in her family. She loved unconditionally. She was patient, and was never pushy. All these things encompass a fraction of the amazing woman Mary Lou was, but if we try to share everything we want to say, no newspaper would have room to contain it.

To see more about Mary Lou or to share any messages, memories or photos, please visit fb.me/marylou.venard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help defray funeral and hospital expenses. Contributions can be sent to @Bernice-Seward via Venmo or to loveMLVenard@yahoo.com via Zelle.

A celebration of life potluck will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Boundary County Fairgrounds Pavilion. To leave a message or memory for the family, go to www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.