Hilda "Ilene" Ventrella

A prayer service for Hilda “Ilene” Ventrella, 83, of Hoyt Lakes will be 11 am Friday, January 4, 2019 at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Deacon Mark Skala officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment will be in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Ilene died Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Spectrum Carefree Living in Aurora. Ilene was born on September 5, 1935 to Eugene and Mae (Bach) Howes in Duluth. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School and continued her education at St. Mary’s in Duluth where she received her degree as a radiology technician.  On October 15, 1955 Ilene was united in marriage to Ronald Ventrella.  Ilene worked as an X-ray technician for Erie Mining Company for many years before taking a position a patient registration receptionist at East Range Clinic until her retirement in 1995. Ilene has a zest for live and enjoyed traveling with Ron. They made trips to Europe, Hawaii, Las Vegas and wintering in Gulf Shores for over twenty years.  Ilene also enjoyed bowling, including a couples league and a league with her girlfriends where they traveled all over the state to competitions.  Dancing was something Ilene and Ron loved to do and were very good at it.  Ilene was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Italian American Club, and was an auxiliary member of the Hoyt Lakes VFW.   Ilene will be remembered for the kitchen scrubbies which she would generously give away.  Her wild rice hot dish and pickle wraps were famous on the Range which she brought to every family event.   Survivors include her husband of sixty-three years, Ronald; three children: David (Claudette) Ventrella of Cottage Grove, Mark (Deb) Ventrella of Cheng Mai, Thailand, Paul (Laura) Ventrella of Ramsey; eight grandchildren: Michael, Lynn, Brittany, Joey, Kaela, Jonathon, Nicholas, and Mallory; eight great-grandchildren: Devin, Katelyn, Jason, Bailey, Kynzie, Trinity, Dominic, and Dianna; and a brother, Don (Marge) Howes of Hoyt Lakes; as well as numerous niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Sonny Howes; and her parents.