Obituary of Corrine Alma Vennevold

Corrine ‘Connie’ Alma Vennevold died with grace and  peace on July 27th, 2020 in Duluth after living with Alzheimer’s for several years. Her family was at her side giving love, strength, and support as she traveled on ahead.

Connie was born and raised along with 7 siblings in Minneapolis, MN to Ethel (Thier) and Henry Larson on August 21, 1934. She met her beloved husband, Dick, while sitting in a café in downtown Minneapolis with her best friend. They got married August 20th, 1955 the day before her 21st birthday while he was home on leave from the Navy. She lost the bet she had made with her uncle that she wouldn’t get married before she turned 21 by mere hours. She worked at the Northwestern National Bank in the early years of their marriage while Dick was in the Navy and going to school. She raised a wonderful family, managed the home, and did daycare for a while before moving to Duluth in 1978. She then worked with Dick at Lagerquist Elevators as the office manager before retiring in 1998.

Connie was active in her faith, attending Family of God Lutheran Church. She enjoyed camping, fishing, golf, and bowling. She was on bowling leagues for many years, earning many trophies, pins, and awards. She passed on her trademark “hop” while throwing the ball to her kids. She loved to read, listen to the old country-western and 50’s music, bake, knit, sew, and cross-stitch, creating many beautiful works of art. After retirement, the adventures really began. Connie and Dick worked for two summers as well-loved campground hosts at Two Lakes Campground in Drummond, WI where they had been regular campers for over 3 decades. They also volunteered at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for nine years. As part-time RV’ers, they loved to travel all over the country to experience different cultures and meet new friends. Once she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Connie enjoyed simpler things like going out to dinner, taking drives to look at the lake and flowers, spending time with family, watching Lawrence Welk and Family Feud, listening to the music groups that came to her living community, eating cookies and ice cream, playing bingo, and especially singing with the Victory Chorus. We all learned how to live in the moment and to treasure the joy those moments brought her.

Connie was a kind, gracious, loving person and was accepting of everyone she knew. She had a special way about her that made everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. She loved and supported her family and friends dearly, cheering them on and encouraging them to preserver in whatever activity or endeavor they were involved in. She was much loved by many and will be dearly missed. Connie is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, her parents Ethel and Henry, brothers Marvin and Merle, sisters Bev and Pat, and sister-in-law Betty.

She is survived by her three children, Rick (Sheila), Lynn (Bob), and Karen (Lance) Johnson; her grandchildren Jherek (Jen), Rob (Nicole), Adam (Alicia), Ricky, Derrick, Dalton (Reyna), Tucker (Cayli), and Jo along with 13 great-grandchildren; brothers Dale (Robin) and Larry (Becky); sister Kathy (Chuck); sister-in-laws Sallie and Monica, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A small family service and interment was held at Family of God Lutheran Church on Saturday August 1st, 2020. A Celebration of Life for Connie will be held in the future with date and location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Victory Fund/Victory Chorus in Duluth.