Raymond Vens' Obituary
Raymond Joseph Vens, 80, of Clinton, Iowa died Thursday, September 8, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center, North, Clinton. Services will be 10:30am Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 3pm to 8pm Monday, September 12, 2011 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with a 7:30pm parish vigil service. The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Raymond B. Vens, David M. Vens, Robert N. Vens, Anthony A.J. Vens, Brian J. McConnell, Kevin M. McConnell, Adam J. Mangan, Aaron M. Mangan, Cameron J. Vens, Joseph C. Vens and Ryan J. Vens. Burial will be in St. Irenaeus Catholic Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. William Killeen, James Timmer, William Lackermann, Thomas Lyons, George Clausen, William Vorheis and Donald Johnson. Ray was born March 19, 1931 in Big Rock, Iowa the son of Rene R. and Germaine (Maes) Vens. He was a 1948 graduate of St. Joseph's Catholic High School and he attended St. Ambrose College. Raymond married Verla E. Fletcher on August 26, 1950 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in DeWitt. Ray had been active in the insurance industry for over 57 years, first being employed as an underwriter and subsequently a field representative, claims adjuster and auditor for Iowa Mutual Insurance Company of DeWitt Iowa for six years and then 50+ years as an Independent Insurance agent. He retired from Core-Vens Insurance on July 1, 2006. Ray, his wife Verla and their seven children moved to Clinton in 1963. At that time, he and Bill Core co-founded the Core-Vens Insurance Agency. Throughout his professional career, Ray had been active in various professional organizations including Past President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Iowa (PIA), Firemark Society and many Company/Agent advisory councils. He was a life member of the Certified Professional Insurance Agents (CPIA). He was named PIA of Iowa Agent of the Year in 1974 and served as the Iowa Delegate to the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents in 1975. He had been very active in many local civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Mercy Healthcare Operating Board and Foundation Board, Mt. St. Clare College Board of Trustees, Iowa State Savings Bank Board of Directors and Commodore of Riverboat Days. He considered the merger/unification of Mercy Hospital and Jane Lamb Hospital and the building of Central Catholic Auditorium among the most fulfilling projects he had been involved with. Ray was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, subsequently Prince of Peace Parish. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and golfing. He enjoyed watching his family members participate in school and sports activities and directing the growth of his insurance agency, Core-Vens Insurance. His immediate family include the love of his life, Verla and seven children: Ellen Rae (Dr. Michael) Dehner of Storm Lake, IA, Michael D. (Nancy) Vens of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Diane C. McConnell of Clinton, Jean M. (Mitch) Mangan of Clinton, Jeffrey A. (deceased) (Karen) Vens of Waukee, IA, Christopher D. (Kristine) Vens of Clinton and Randall J. (Brenda) Vens of Clinton, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, sister, Dorothy E, Strouse of Mexico, MO; and brothers, Marvin A. (Sue) Vens of Mesa, AZ and George C. Vens of Bettendorf, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents and son Jeffrey A. Vens. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society and Prince of Peace Parish .
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