John W. Vennes, MS Science ’52, HON ’96, age 86, of Grand Forks, passed away on May 10, 2011, at his winter home in Sun City, Ariz.

John was born in 1924 in Grenora, N.D., to Albert and Gina Vennes. He spent his formative years in Zahl and Williston, N.D. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he moved to Grand Forks to attend the University of North Dakota, where he fell in love and married Agnes Glinski, his wife of 61 years who preceded him in death. He received advanced degrees in microbiology from UND and the University of Michigan. He devoted his entire career to medical education at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He served in numerous roles, including professor, department chair, interim and associate dean, and professor emeritus. His tireless work for North Dakota medical education was driven by his passion for education, as well as his love for North Dakota. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be sent to the UND Foundation at 3100 University Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157 with directions that it be added to the John and Agnes Vennes Microbiology and Immunology Research Award Endowment.