Paula Marie Vennes, age 76, died at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 due to complications from surgery.

      Born January 17th, 1939, to Edna and Paul Needham, Paula was raised in Butte, Montana.   She graduated from Butte High School in 1956 at the age of 16 and went on to earn her Associate of Arts degree at Colorado Women’s College, graduating in 1958.   Paula married Robert Boulter in 1959 following her graduation.   She began her teaching career the same year and soon attended University of Montana, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 1962.   Paula went on to hold many positions in the realm of education including vice principle at St. John’s Preparatory School in Agana, Guam and teaching the fifth and sixth grades in both Montana and Georgia.   It was during this time she worked toward her Masters Degree in Public School Administration at Georgia State.   Through these years, she was involved in either substitute teaching and tutoring and gave birth to her four beloved daughters.

      Paula held various jobs including a summer employee for the Forest Service in Hamilton, Montana in 1987 and a permanent position at the University of Montana for the ROTC Army program, before arriving at Fairchild AFB in 1991, working for the Environmental Branch for six months.   Paula then took on the role of Child Care Coordinator at Family Home Daycare at Fairchild AFB where she served for over 11 years, retiring in January, 2001.   During her early years at Fairchild AFB, she met her husband, Carl Vennes, while square dancing, and was married soon after in 1993.

      Paula enjoyed traveling with her husband Carl, sewing, square dancing, fishing, reading, singing with Project Joy Minstrels as a base and playing the piano and singing.   She loved spending time with her 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and was vivacious in showing her support at her grandchildren’s sporting events, often being heard above the crowd, cheering on the sidelines.

      Paula was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and spent her years of retirement involved in Mary Martha Circle at Knox Pres., AAUW, Red Hats, AA and breast cancer support group- the Bosom Buddies.

      Paula is preceded in death by both parents, Edna and Paul, step-father, Joe Maykuth, and by her great-grandson, Major Michael.   Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Carl, her brother, William (Darnell) Needham, her step-brother Brent (Shirley) Maykuth, her step-sister, Lynne Ramey, her four daughters, Edrie (Steve) Bizak, Adele (Matt) Gibbs, Heidi (Sven) Osusky, and Katrina (Mike) Boulter-Reed, and her three step-children Danese (Jason) Griffin, Kristin (Dan) Tracey, Robert Vennes, her 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 3 grand nephews and many other loving members.

      Services will be held Saturday, March 28th, 11:00am at Knox Presbyterian Church, 806 W Knox Ave, Spokane, WA 99205.   Relatives and friends are welcome to the service and luncheon following.   Burial will be held in private.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or Knox Presbyterian Church.

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