VENECHUK, Jack H. 1929-2013

VENECHUK

Posted By: Jeannine Peterson (email)
Date: 6/16/2016 at 15:27:24

Jack H. Venechuk, 84, of Grafton, passed away Monday, November 4, 2013, at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.

A memorial service was held Friday, November 8, 2013, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton with the Reverend Solveig A.H. Zamzow officiating. Inurnment was held at the Grafton Municipal Cemetery.

Jack was born March 25, 1929, in Milwaukee, WI, 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 1956, 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, AZ; 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, sisters-in-law, Jo (Jerry) Buechele, Coke Bowers.

He was preceded in death by this parents, Nickolas (Rachel) Venechuk; daughter, Cindy Retterath, granddaughter, Jennifer Retterath; sister, Florence Miller; brother, Nick Venechuk; sister-in-law, Della Venechuk; brothers-in-law, Leroy Miller and Bud Bowers; and son-in-law, Gene Retterath.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Nov. 7, 2013