Obituary of Nancy Kay Venenga

    Nancy Kay (Van Der Wilt) Venenga was born on January 19, 1943, to Arnold John and Nellie (Groendyke) Van Der Wilt, in Sibley, IA. She grew up in Sibley and graduated from Sibley High School with the class of 1961. That fall, she attended Nettleton’s Business School in Sioux City, IA.

    On February 14, 1964, Nancy was united in marriage to LeRoy Lee Venenga of Ashton, IA at the First Reformed Church in Sibley; to this union four children were born.

    Over the years, Nancy had worked at various jobs. She functioned as secretary for the principal of the Senior High School in Worthington, MN before relocating with her family to Sanborn, IA in 1966. In 1968, she was employed as an Account Director for the Sanborn Municipal Light Plant, a position she held for 32 years, retiring in April 2001.

    As a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn, Nancy enjoyed teaching four-year-olds in Sunday School for many years; she had also taught catechism to an older group.

    Besides working, Nancy looked forward to the times she could spend with her children and grandchildren. They were the light of her life and she loved each one of them dearly. She also enjoyed being in the company of her good friends, whether it was over a cup of coffee at Jay’s Restaurant in Sanborn or bowling on the Women’s League and Mixed League…something she did for many years. She had made wonderful memories while traveling with friends to Colorado, Branson, MO, Alaska, Hawaii, or to Minnesota to do some fishing. In her spare time, she found painting, embroidery, and crafts in general, to be relaxing endeavors. She also loved to collect and try out new recipes on her family. Nancy was known as “The Casserole Kid”.  

    She will be lovingly remembered by her brother, Harold (Joyce) Van Der Wilt of Sioux Falls, SD; her sisters: Edna Van Maasdam of Ocheyedan, IA and Ruth (Tom) Dagel of Ashton, IA; sisters-in-law: Sharon Van Der Wilt of Boyden, IA, Rosemary Venenga of Hartford, SD; Susan Runge of Sioux Falls, SD and Grace Runge of Sibley, IA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

    Preceding her in death are her husband of 61 years, LeRoy Venenga; her parents, Arnold and Nellie Van Der Wilt; her in-laws, Herman and Marie Runge; brothers: Dennis Van Der Wilt and Arlen Van Der Wilt; sisters-in-law: Doris Runge and Linda Runge; brothers-in-law: George Venenga, Clarence Runge, Herman John Runge, Jr. and Darwin Van Maasdam.

    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.