Venetta Martha Paulsen, daughter of Wilbert Leonard John and Edith Elizabeth Hiddleson John, was born Dec. 3, 1916 near Rippey in Greene County and died July 25, 2006 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson at the age of 89 years, 7 months and 22 days.
Services were held Friday, July 28 at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson with Pastor Larry Monthei of Cooper United Methodist Church officiating. Internment followed at Rippey Cemetery.
Venetta lived on a farm with her family near Rippey. She later attended school in Jamaica and graduated from Cooper High School in 1935.
On Feb. 7, 1940, she was united in marriage with Emil Paulsen. They lived on a farm north of Jamaica where Venetta continued to live after Emil’s death in 1988.
Venetta enjoyed and was very proficient at handwork, including needlepoint and embroidery. She raised chickens and loved them. Her family and others lovingly called her “Aunt Neat”. Venetta also enjoyed her garden.
Venetta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Emil, her sister Myrtle Sitterly and brothers Harlan, Vern and Howard John.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Gladys John of Jamaica; nieces and nephews: Goldie Murphy (John) of Des Moines, Junior John (Kathy) of Boone, David John (Shirley) of Faucett, MO, Maxine Secor of Cedar Falls, Donna Godwin (Dick) of Yale, Don McDowell of Perry, Dean McDowell (Betty) of Perry, Betty Farley of Perry, Roland Snowgren of Rippey and Eddie Davis (Joyce) of Jamaica; many great-nieces and great- nephews; other relatives and friends.