Obituary of Vera Marie Venenga

Vera Marie of Newton, passed from this life on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Skiff Medical Center of Newton. Vera Marie Venenga, 98, was born February 5, 1919, near Crookston, Minnesota, the daughter of Jessie I. and Emma (Cooan) Harrington. Having lived in Fargo, MN and Mason City, IA, she graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque, and studied piano, voice and performed in operetta's, concerts and short school skits. She met Harvey Venenga in 1942, and they were married six weeks later on October 3, 1942 in Grundy Center, IA. They lived near Beaman and Marshalltown, and Vera was employed by the Credit Bureau of Marshalltown, Bruin Manufacturing, for Dr. Keyser in Newton, for the Credit Bureau of Jasper County and at the Newton Clinic. She was active in Cub Scouts both in Marshalltown and Newton, and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, helped with Share School, children liturgy and was a past school volunteer. Vera was a loving person, and enjoyed and loved to sing, visit and pray with friends, loved her flowers, collect milk glass, reading, her hats and making dolls. Vera is survived by her son and daughters-in-law: Duane and Connie Venenga of Winterset and Sue Wadle of Des Moines; her daughter Patty Engman of Arizona; her granddaughters: Toni Hamman and Dana Venenga-Harper; her six great grandchildren; loving nieces and nephews; and many good neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harvey in 1999; a son Larry Venenga in 2006; her granddaughter Chelle Cowen; and two brothers: Jerry and Kenneth Harrington. A time of celebration of life with her family will be 5p.m. until 6:30p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2017, with a Rosary at 5p.m. and Eulogy at 6p.m., at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, who has been entrusted with the arrangements. Burial will be in the Collins Cemetery, next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the family or a charity of your choosing.