Kristen Michelle Vennekotter

Kristen Michelle (Siler) Vennekotter, 33, of Sugar Land, TX and formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 in Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Texas. Hearts broke all over the world.

She is survived by her Husband Mark Daniel Vennekotter, formerly of Kalida, OH, and their children Ella Marie and Jackson Mark Vennekotter. She was born May 20th, 1980, the daughter of William “Bill” and Joni (Standley) Siler, who survive in Bellefontaine with her three brothers, Jordan, Jacob, and Hunter Siler, her Grandparents Nigle and Phyllis (Guy) Standley.

She was preceded in death by her Grandparents William Merritt and Mary Ann (Petrascu) Siler.

Kristen was a 1998 graduate of Bellefontaine High School. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in History from The Ohio State University in 2003 as well as a Master of Arts in International Affairs from American University, Washington, D.C. in 2005. Kristen then worked as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State, traveling to Naples, Italy where she met her husband Mark, a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. Both Kristen and Mark were instantly connected upon realizing they grew up only an hour apart from each other in Ohio. The couple were married in Columbus, Ohio November 8th, 2008 and relocated to Texas where she worked as a Executive Assistant for Fayez Sarofim & Co. and later Corporate Governance Analyst for Apache Corporation. Kristen enjoyed traveling, baking, reading, writing and spending time at home with her family. Her brilliant smile and vibrant laughter will be missed.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, September 15, 2013, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit). Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 PM, Monday, September 16, 2013, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land. Kristen will be laid to rest at St. Isidore Cemetery, Putnam County, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Mark Vennekotter, Christ Church School, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.