Dr. Vener grew up in Arlington, MN. After high school he attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where he graduated with honors with his BA degree in Biology. He then attended medical school at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and remained in Minnesota to complete his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery where he researched Post-traumatic Arthritis.

Dr. Vener has been a self-employed surgeon in Watertown, SD since 1995. He has been actively building a rural orthopaedic practice with areas of interest in shoulder, sports medicine and adult reconstruction. Dr. Vener and his wife Kim have two children, Michelle and Thomas and his hobbies include hunting, cooking, boating, scuba diving and watching baseball, both local and professional. Dr. Vener is an active board member of the Lake Area Zoological Society.