Louis Eugene Venier

Louis Eugene Venier, 88, of Dixon, IL passed away peacefully in his home on July 1st, surrounded by his loving family. He was an owner of Venier Jewelers, where he worked for 70 years. He was a pillar of the Dixon community…and deeply loved by his customers and friends. Louie “GiGi” Venier was born on November 5th, 1936 in Dixon, IL, the son of Lorenzo and Olinda Venier. He attended St. Mary’s grade school and Dixon High School where he excelled in woodworking classes, ultimately becoming a master craftsman in multiple art forms. After graduating, he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn (Near) Venier, on June 7th, 1958. The couple always resided in Dixon, where they raised 3 loving children…all while Marilyn worked full time as a nurse and Louie helped build the successful jewelry business with his dad and brother, and eventually his sons, nephews, and grandson. This year will mark their 80th year in business. He loved hunting, fishing, woodworking, good music, a good martini…and spending time with friends and especially his family. He loved to laugh and make others laugh too with his repetitive jokes and one-liners. He truly believed that Dixon, Illinois was the most beautiful place on earth. He loved his hometown and the people in it, and was known to greet everyone with a smile and a big, wet Italian kiss. He is survived by his adoring wife of 67 years, Marilyn J. Venier; 3 children: Michael Louis (Marguerite), Robert Lorenzo (Paula), and Victoria Lyn (Matt); 6 grandchildren: Tyler Robert (Ashley), Anthony Michael (Jazzie), Gina Marie (Hayley Cardona), Matthew Gene Davenport (Lindsay), Jonathan Cody Davenport (Kala), and Hannah Daisy Faith Davenport (Kyle); 4 great grandchildren: Sawyer, Sutton, Aniston and Harlow; one brother, Joseph Venier; and extended family of Jim and Pat Leslie. Louie was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenzo and Olinda, as well as one sister, Ada (Eastman). He lived life just like the words of one of his favorite songs by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” Visitation will be on Tuesday July 8, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon. A Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 1:00 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon. Cremation rites will follow with a burial of cremated remains to take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to St. Mary's Catholic School in Dixon. Arrangements were completed by Jones Funeral Home.

Louis Eugene Venier

November 5, 1936 - July 1, 2025