Kent Venema

Kent Venema, age 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Kent was born in Maywood, IL on May 20, 1941. Following high school, Kent attended the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology graduating with a degree in Industrial Design and Methodology in 1965. A passionate and talented designer and photographer, Kent worked on the small in-house design team at Sears Roebuck Co. before opening a design firm called D2Group with his partner Carol. A lifelong learner and teacher he spent time as an Associate Professor of Industrial Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Having grown up hunting and fishing, Kent’s love of the outdoors never ceased and he was involved in numerous organizations that supported wildlife and their habitats. He loved spending time working in the garden, was a voracious reader and a cycling enthusiast. Most of all, he was a trusted friend to many and will be missed.

Kent is survived by his children, Maggie (Joe) Miller, Kate Qualiardi, Dia Parks, Chris Qualiardi, grandchildren, Jack Miller, Elise and Ava Castelaz; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his life partner, Carol Ann Miller; parents, Walter and Leatha Venema and sister, Marcia Chase.

A visitation for Kent will be held from 4pm until 8pm on October 19, 2023, at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 149 W. Main Street (Lake-Cook Rd) Barrington, IL 60010. A funeral service will be held at 11am the following morning at Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Street, Barrington, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kent’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.