Venita T. Groves

Venita Groves was the 6th child born of Paul & Bertha Radar in Courtland, N E.  She lived for a time in Maxwell, Nebraska, but she was mostly raised around Peru, Nebraska . Although she was the baby of the family, s he was always close to her siblings: Vivian, Viola, Vera, Virgil & Vilas.  Venita was not the original name meant for the youngest Radar child.  Her mother wanted to name her ‘ Vernita ’ but the name on the birth certificate was misspelled.  Didn’t matter to Grandma Radar ! She often still call ed her ‘ Vernita ’ .

Venita had many interests throughout her life. She inherited her parents’ gift of music.  She played the co r net and she played piano pieces by ear. S he marched and played in the high school band.  S he also enjoyed working with her hands.  She sewed and often made her own clothes and then later in life made her children’s clothes.  She loved to garden and had quite the green thumb. She was a great co ok and baker - as many of her family and friends would attest to ! She liked doing various crafts and s he enjoyed birds - especially cockatiels and parakeets.

Venita was baptized in the Christian C hurch in Peru. Later, she graduated high school from Peru Prep in 1952 and attended college at Peru State College.  She fell in love with her husband, Jerry , with a courtship starting in high school.  The couple married on Christmas day , 1953 , in the same Peru Christian C hurch where she was baptized. T he y eventually settled in Omaha . Jerry start ed a career at Sears Roebuck Co . and Venita work ed at Mutual of Omaha as an administrative assistant . Venita and Jerry had two children, Lisa and Jeff ery .  Venita left Mutual to bec o me a stay-at-home M om doting on her two children and making a loving home for her family.

Venita loved to travel and explore new horizons.  Throughout the years, Venita and Jerry would take fun family trips with their children but, some of their greatest travel memories were made on trips with Venita’s niece, Sharon and Sharon’s husband , Leo.  They weren’t just family; they were also the best of friends.

Jerry passed on shortly after his retirement at the young age of 63 years . Venita had lost her best friend .  She tried not to let life get her down. She spent much time with her children, family, and friends. She loved to go shop ping .  She enjoyed anything with beauty and elegance.  She became an avid doll collector. Even though she could not garden as much outside anymore, she loved her plants and flowers. As time passed and Venita aged, her health issues started to catch up with her and she could no longer take care of a big house. She moved into an independent senior living apartment complex and eventually into Assisted Living.

While in her apartment, Venita made more friends with other residents of the complex.  They often played games together, went out to eat, had pot lucks, and took community outings together.  It was here she met John.  It didn’t take long before the two were a couple. They were inseparable.  John continued to be her constant companion and protector even when Venita’s memory started to slip and d ementia consumed her life.  Venita always took comfort in her children, Lisa and Jeff, her niece, Sharon, and her special friend, John , on her good days & her bad. Even when she wasn’t able to recognize the people around her anymore, she always had a smile & hug for you. Her friends and caregivers at PACE, the Royale Oaks House of Hope Alzheimer’s unit and eventually the Florence Home always expressed love for her and everyone spoke of what a gentle, sweet soul she was. This family is extremely grateful for the care and compassion given by her many caregivers over the past several years.

Venita passed away on July 10 th , 2022. She truly had a wonderful life and made this world a better place with all her talents and gifts but mostly for her love of family and friends.  She always loved to laugh and make life joyful, not just for herself but for others. Venita served many roles throughout her life ; as a child, a sibling, an aunt, a cousin, a friend, and a wife but her greatest role and her biggest gift were being a mother.

Memorials have been suggested to Hearts United for Animals https://www.hua.org/