Venla Ovard

Click Here To View Memorial Video Venla Rae Purser Ovard, 84, of Idaho Falls, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2013, at her home of natural causes. She was born April 2, 1929, in Rigby, Idaho to Leroy and Martha Ann Evans Purser. She grew up and attended schools in the Rigby area. On March 23, 1957, she married Kyle James Ovard and their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on July 17, 1965. Venla and Kyle raised a family of sons and a daughter in the Ucon area. They were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she served as nursery leader for much of her life (she loved children) and Relief Society visiting teacher throughout her life. They were avid gardeners, and she raised bumper crops of strawberries and raspberries, which she enjoyed sharing with her children. She did not enjoy when the neighbor’s pigs got out and dug up her garden. Venla was a dedicated homemaker and mother, and became the adopted grandmother to many children whom she babysat in her home. By providing babysitting for others, she earned enough money to support four sons as they served foreign missions for their church. She enjoyed watching her sons play ball and going for rides with her husband, who was a state brand inspector, as he went to visit “his girls” (the cows when he was inspecting brands). Venla had a keen mind and cheerful spirit, and in recent years enjoyed playing Chicken Foot with her children and grandchildren, or card games with friends. Her posterity includes five sons, one daughter, 17 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Jerry (Tammy) Ovard of Keiser, Oregon; Kyle (Lori) Ovard of San Diego, California; Kevin (Cindy) Ovard of Murrieta, California; Kelly (Leslie) Ovard of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Eva Ann Ovard (Tony) Gardner of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kyle, and infant son, William Leroy Knight. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the Idaho Falls LDS 9th Ward (395 2nd Street) with Bishop Gemar officiating. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

Funeral Services will be held:

11 a.m. ,Saturday, October 12, 2013 Idaho Falls LDS 9th Ward 395 Second Street Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Notes: The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park.