64744_Jack H._Venechuk
GRAFTON | Jack H. Venechuk, 84, of Grafton passed away Monday, November 4, 2013, at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday November 8, 2013, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 308 4th Ave., Grafton, Iowa, with Reverend Solvig A. H. Zamzow officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday November 7, 2013, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton.
Inurnment will be held at the Grafton Municipal Cemetery following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jack H. Venechuk memorial fund in care of Clarice Venechuk, 103 6th Ave., P.O. Box 10, Grafton, IA 50440.
Jack was born March 25, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Nickolas and Rachel (Beisel) Venechuk. He graduated from MCHS in 1947 and was united in marriage to Clarice Bowers on August 29, 1948. Together they had two children, Cindy Retterath and Sam Venechuk.
In his early years Jack farmed on the south edge of Mason City and sold seed corn. In 1955 Jack moved his family to Grafton, which would become their home for the next 58 years.
Jack started his own business, which would come to be known as Grafton Plumbing, Heating & Electric. He later added Grafton Thermogas as a business. He also sold Surge dairy equipment with his brother, Nick. Jack loved his community. He was a longtime member of the Grafton Fire Department and was currently on the city council.
Jack~s hobbies included hunting and fishing and taking that annual fishing trip to Canada with his buddies. He also enjoyed gardening and had one of the biggest and most beautiful gardens in Grafton. Jack enjoyed cooking and grilling, especially turkeys, and always helped in preparing the turkeys for the Grafton Turkey Day. He was also known for his grilled chicken and prime rib, teaching his son Sam the tricks of the trade. He thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clarice Venechuk, Grafton; son, Sam (Shelly) Venechuk, Northwood; sister, Shirley Behm, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; grandchildren, Bill (Keri) Retterath, Buck (Jolene) Retterath, Ben (Jen) Retterath, Katie Venechuk, Sam Venechuk, Nicole Venechuk; great-grandchildren, Carter, Megan, Zoey, Jenna, Rayna, Lilly, Anna, Kara, and a baby girl to arrive in December; sister-in-laws, Jo (Jerry) Buechele, Coke Bowers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nickolas (Rachel) Venechuk; daughter Cindy Retterath; granddaughter Jennifer Retterath; sister, Florence Miller; brother, Nick Venechuk; sister-in-law, Della Venechuk; brother-in-laws, Leroy Miller and Bud Bowers; and son-in-law, Gene Retterath.
Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 Spring St., Manly, 641-454-2242. ColonialChapels.com