Venice Lou Clowdus

Venice Clowdus, 84, of Darien, Connecticut formerly of Idaho Falls, passed away December 10, 2015 at St. Camillus Center in Stamford, Connecticut. Venice was born on September 19, 1931, to Lewis Milford Bowen and Mary Hannah Halverson Bowen in Springville, Utah. She attended school in Utah through ninth grade and was named Class Valedictorian of her ninth grade class. She spent the summer months with her grandmother in Mapleton, Utah. In 1947 her family moved to Archer, Idaho and in 1950 she graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho. In 1950 she married Kent Gardner in Archer, Idaho. Together they had four children. They moved their family to California where she resided for many years. When her children were older she studied Interior Design. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards with her family. She loved to dance and enjoyed the music of Charlie Rich and Frank Sinatra. In 1980 she married Kenneth Ray Clowdus in Pico Rivera, California. Together they enjoyed dancing, camping, and an occasional trip to the Casino to play the slot machines. They retired to Idaho in 1992 and lived near her sister Connie. In 2004 they moved to Connecticut to live with one of their daughters. Venice was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Darien L.D.S. Ward. Venice is survived by her husband Kenneth, daughters Sharon Gardner of Carrabelle, Florida, Wendy Oughton of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Nancy Reilly (Kenneth) of Darien, Connecticut; stepdaughters Gabby St. Claire and Rena Navarrete of Whittier, California and "adopted-daughter" Diana Hillaire of Brooklyn, New York. Together Venice and Kenneth have 16 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild to be born next month. Venice is preceded in death by her son Michael Gardner, parents Lewis and Mary Bowen, sisters Connie Fell and Claudia Wood; grandson Caleb Collins and granddaughter Amy Weber; nephews Courtney Blackburn, Brent and Blaine Fell. Venice will return to Idaho for burial in Sutton Cemetery, Archer, Idaho, near her parents and other family members. Funeral services will be held at Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho, on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. the family will visit with friends prior to the funeral from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.