Mary Martha “Marty” Veneman, age 85, of Galena, IL, passed away on October 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2026. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family. She was born to Antonia and Manuel Olivares on July 29, 1940, in Hughes, AR. Marty married Richard Veneman on May 19, 1962. After Richard passed, Marty married James Piquette on April 10, 2010. Marty worked at Abbott, Veneman’s Paint and Gift Shop, and then retired from Glidden Paint and moved to Galena. She was a hard worker, loved interior decorating, and always had a smile on her face. Marty treated everyone like family, had a quirky sense of humor, and lit up the room with her laugh. Marty donated her time and money to the community. While she lived in Waukegan, she attended First Baptist Church and volunteered in the nursery and in many other areas of the church. While in Galena, she attended Crossroads Community Church, served many outreach teams, especially the food pantry, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Marty is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Piquette; daughter, Diane Bowling; siblings Jim (Joyce) Olivares, Rose (Rajani) Bhatt, Eli (Jenny) Olivares, Helen (Ron) Hastings, and Emmanuel Olivares. Also, six grandchildren — Brandon Veneman, Jessica (Thomas) Splinter, Rebecca (Anthony) Sullivan, Bethany Bowling, Ashley Bowling, and Kristen Bowling; five great-grandchildren — Cara Bowling, Addison and Jace Splinter, Carter and Westin Sullivan; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard Veneman, her son, David Veneman, and her sisters, Alice Browne and Bea Wolfe. Memorials may be given to Habitat for Humanity and the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to thank Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque for their care. A big thanks as well to everyone at Crossroads and to friends and family who prayed for Marty throughout the last days of her life. It’s beyond appreciated.
Mary “Marty” Veneman
