Sue E. Kaupang, 56

Sue Ellen Kaupang, 56, died at her at home following a battle with brain cancer.

She was born Aug. 9, 1946, in Albert Lea, to Henry and Edith (Ashworth) DeVries. She lived on a vegetable farm outside Maple Island and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1964.

On July 24, 1965, she married Arlen Jacobson and moved to Austin. After their divorce in 1975, Sue worked part-time as a delivery driver for Winnebago motor homes and traveled throughout the USA and Canada. She then attended the Austin Vo-Tech to learn secretarial word processing and obtained her administrative assistant position with Hormel Foods Corporation in 1985, where she remained until her illness.

On May 1, 1999, she married Russell Kaupang and moved to Rochester, where they attended Celebration Community Church in Byron.

Sue loved to read and write poetry, published two poetry books entitled "Random Thoughts of a Meandering Mind" and "a potpourri of poetry." In the summer of 2002, the couple returned to Bethlehem Free Methodist Church in Austin.

Survivors include her husband, Russell Kaupang; children, Jerry (Ruth), Hartland, Wis.; Sandra (Jim) Braun, Champlin; Evan (Lisa), Peoria, Ill.; six grandchildren; two stepchildren, Tammie Kaupang, Minneapolis; Kim (Bill) Bartodziej, Richfield; two step-grandchildren; brother, Jack (Marlene) DeVries, Hollandale; sisters, Dorothy Stegenga, Hollandale; Carol (W. Jay) Hadlock, Herndon, Va.; Joyce (Dave) Reynen, Austin; step-sister, LaVonne (Denny) Sundlee, Montevideo.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Elmer Stegenga.

Service: 11 a.m. memorial service, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Bethlehem Free Methodist Church in Austin with Pastor Michael Ewert officiating.

William G. Venema, 64

William G. Venema, 64, of Grand Rapids, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, at his home of lung cancer.

He was born Nov. 26, 1938, to Lloyd and Marguerite (Harris) Venema in Morris. He grew up and attended schools in Austin.

He entered the US Navy in 1956 and served until being honorably discharged in 1958.

On Nov. 22, 1985, he married Barbara Dianne Kent at the United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids.

William was self employed for 43 years, most recently at B & D Carpet and Tile Co. He retired in June of 2002 due to health reasons.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; sons, Brett, Raymond; Steve, Grand Rapids; Casey (Kim), Bovey; Todd (Desaree), Peyton, Colo.; stepchildren, Lori deCathelineau, Willmar; Mark Richardson, Eagan; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brother, Dale (Karen), Battleground, Wash.; sisters, Pat (Bob) Tritz, Minnetonka; Heidi (Steve Mather) Venema, Richfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary.

Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. today, Jan. 3, 2002, at the funeral home and Saturday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids with Rev. Marva Jean Hutchens officiating.

Interment: Itasca Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, with military honors.

Funeral Home: Libbey Funeral Home, Grand Rapids.