Delores Mae Venlet

She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter of Malcom and Goldie Boyd. Upon graduation from Lee High School and completion of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training at Grand Rapids Junior College, she worked at Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals in Michigan, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pennsylvania, and Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland. Her service through the years as a nurse epitomized the words in "The Nightingale Pledge" of a life of devotion "to service and the high ideals of the nursing profession."

Dee married her high school sweetheart, John Venlet, in 1953 at Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. Together they served for five years as home missionaries in New Jersey with High School Evangelism Fellowship and for 34 years with Word of Life Fellowship in the mid-Atlantic states.

Dee and her husband continued to serve their Lord and Savior in their years in Lakeland, Florida. Her husband founded "Athletes Empowered Ministries" and Dee's unwavering support enabled them to have impactful influence in the lives of people around the world, including during medical mission trips to Romania and Guatemala where Dee served as a nurse.

Delores was predeceased by her husband, John; her father and mother, Malcom and Goldie Boyd; and brothers Robert and Donald Boyd. Delores is survived by her four children: David (Bunny), Douglas (Tina), Cheryl (Paul), and Kristen (Jeff), and her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Scott Lake Health & Rehab and Good Shepherd Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Dee in her final days.

A celebration of life service will be held at City Central Church, 310 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland, FL on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3450 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805 or online at chaptershealth.org/foundation/good-shepherd-hospice-donation/