Venza B. (Larreau) Persinger

ATWOOD -- Venza B. (Larreau) Persinger, 90, died Monday (June 9, 2003) at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood.

She was born May 28, 1913, in rural Decatur County near Oberlin, to Henry Jonathan and Grace Mae (Bryant) Larreau. She was married to Ernest Loyd Persinger. She was a homemaker, a former school teacher and tutor. She collected and wrote news for the Sappa View column in the Citizen-Patriot and Square Deal. She was a foster parent and house parent for the former Beamgard Learning Center of Atwood.

She was a former member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Atwood and later attended the Atwood Baptist Church. She was a volunteer for the Rawlins County Historical Society and the Tri-State Engine and Thrashers Association of Bird City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest; her sons, Royce and Henry; four sisters, Ardessa Funk, Wanda Coleman, Elda Prow and Henaretta Thompson; a half-brother, Frank Larreau; two half-sisters, Panza Simmons and Rosetta Larreau; and two great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters-in-law, Bessie Persinger of Atwood and Edith Persinger of Oberlin; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 10 a.m., at Brantley Funeral Chapel of Atwood with the Rev. Gene Gee officiating. Interment will be at the Atwood Fairview Cemetery of Atwood.

Visitation is Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Rawlins County Historical Society or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Brantley Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of arrangements.