Pamela (Deane) Viets

Rev. Pamela Deane Viets of Muskego, Wisconsin and Rancho Mirage, California, died on July 6, 2023 in York, Maine. Born in Queens, NY on September 27, 1943, she was the only child of the late Wilson Spencer Deane and Florence (Harper) Deane. 

Pamela’s grandmother accurately pinned her as a “social butterfly.” She worked as an elementary school teacher from the age of 21, but her life’s work was raising her four children, travel, study, becoming a devoted Oma, earning her Master of Divinity degree, serving as an ordained minister in Congregational and American Baptist churches, and dedicating herself to serve the sick, aging, and those suffering memory loss. Pamela was a graduate of St. John’s University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She also served as a Regent of the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Pamela is survived by her husband, Richard Venables of Kamloops, BC, Canada, along with his children and grandchildren. She was always thankful for the happy adventures with Dick and his gracious family.

She is further survived by her daughter, Danielle Leighton and husband, Michael, of York, ME, son, Deane Viets and wife, Izabella, of Freiburg, Germany, son, Hans Viets and wife, Lauren, of Wickford, RI, and daughter, Hillary Bowser and husband, Andrew, of Muskego, WI. Her beloved grandchildren, Samuel, Leonardo, Alexander, Naomi, Ani, Max, Hildegard, Rowan, and Tannen, will miss her hugs and smiles. She treasured her time with these children during many family reunions and visits around the world. 

Pam’s first husband, Dr. Hermann Viets, PhD., preceded her in death. The high school sweethearts met at a Sunday Valentine’s Day dance. They made a life together in Belgium, Ohio, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and at times wintered in California across nearly 50 years of marriage. Together, they made friends everywhere they went with their fun and generous nature.

We will miss her stories, her awesome sense of humor, and endearing ability to laugh at herself. We are thankful for her lessons not to take ourselves too seriously, to be resilient, to live with integrity, and to care for and be generous with those around us.

A memorial service will be held on October 24, 2023, 5:00pm, at St. Jacobi Congregational Church, 1695 Scenic Rd., Richfield, WI. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Milwaukee School of Engineering or St. Jacobi Congregational Church, Richfield, would be greatly appreciated.

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