Obituary of LeRoy Lee Venenga

    LeRoy Lee Venenga, son of Bernard and Marie (Veen) Venenga, was born August 6, 1942, near Little Rock, IA. He spent his youth in the Little Rock and Rock Rapids, IA areas before settling on a farm near Ashton, IA. LeRoy graduated from Ashton High School in 1960. In June, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Bennington and USS Telfair. He was honorably discharged in August of 1963.

    On February 14, 1964, LeRoy married Nancy Kay Van Der Wilt of Sibley, IA at the First Reformed Church in Sibley; four children would complete their family.

    LeRoy was employed with the Sibley Lumber Yard until 1966, when the family moved to Sanborn, IA. He began working for Associated Milk Producers Inc. as a relief can hauler and later had his own bulk route. He retired after 42 years of dedicated service to AMPI. In the fall, he helped farmers harvest their crops and served as a driver for the Farmers Coop Elevator in Sanborn.

    When he wasn’t working, LeRoy loved to bowl. He was a member of the men’s league and the mixed league for many years. He also enjoyed playing baseball on the local church team, camping at Cutty’s Resort and going to the races to watch his son-in-law and grandsons participate. Playing cards, tackling crossword and word puzzles were other relaxing pastimes. He also loved traveling with friends to places like Colorado, Branson, MO, Alaska and Hawaii. Still, it was hard to beat a trip to Minnesota…just taking in nature and catching fish. He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn.

    LeRoy leaves behind his wife, Nancy; sister, Grace Runge of Sibley IA; sisters-in-law: Susan Runge of Sioux Falls, SD, Rose Venenga of Hartford, SD, Sharon Van Der Wilt of Boyden, IA, Edna Van Maasdam of Ocheyedan, IA, and Ruth (Tom) Dagel of Ashton, IA; brother-in-law, Harold (Joyce) Van Der Wilt of Sioux Falls, SD;  many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

    Preceding him in death are his father, Bernard Venenga; stepfather, Herman Runge; mother, Marie Runge; brother, George Venenga; half-brothers: Vernon Venenga, Albert Venenga, Ted Venenga, Herman John Runge, Jr.; sisters-in-law: Linda Runge, Doris Runge; stepbrother, Clarence Runge; brothers-in-law, Arlen Van Der Wilt, Darwin Van Maasdam; and in-laws, Arnold and Nellie Van Der Wilt.

Keeping their memory close in heart are the children and families of LeRoy and Nancy: Randall Lee (Marlys) Venenga of Ankeny, IA, Todd Douglas Venenga of Sanborn, IA, Tamela Jane (Rodney) Meendering of Spencer, IA and Leah Kaye (Harvey) Vande Weerd of Alton, IA; eight grandchildren: (4 boys) Logan Venenga, Cameron (Emily) Vande Weerd, Connor Vande Weerd and Aaron Venenga, (4 girls) Erica Meendering, Morgan Venenga, Justine Meendering (fiancé Jordan Kyle) and Faith Venenga; two great-grandsons: Clayton John Vande Weerd and Kayden Lee Vande Weerd; one great-granddaughter, Larkin Faye Vande Weerd.