Venneth O. Henderson

December 10, 1932 - June 27, 2014

Venneth Orlando Henderson was born December 10, 1932 at Ainsworth, Nebraska. One of 13 children of Albert John and Lulu Essie (Reed) Henderson, he attended school in Ainsworth and graduated high school in 1952. While still in high school Venneth began working as a printer’s apprentice at the Ainsworth Star Journal, where he worked until 1953. In February of 1953 Venneth was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the infantry during the Korean War, receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. After his honorable discharge on December 23, 1954 Venneth returned to Ainsworth. On November 23, 1956 Venneth was united in marriage to Donnita Faye Dilsaver in Bassett, Nebraska. They made their first home on a ranch in Rock County, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with two children, Monica Lee and Loren Dean. In 1965 Venneth and Donnita left the ranch and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he worked at the West Coast Door Factory. In 1976 the family moved to Auburn, Nebraska and Venneth was a foreman at Triangle Pacific Cabinet Factory. After retiring from Tri-Pac in 1993 he managed the Palmer House Motel in Auburn until 1997. Venneth was a member of the Ainsworth American Legion Post and belonged to the Elks Club in Tacoma. He enjoyed fishing in his younger years, and was an avid NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fan. After suffering a debilitating stroke, Venneth entered the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. It was there he passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014 at the age of 81 years, 6 months, and 17 days. His parents, two infant brothers, sisters Burdetta Jansen, Catherine Powell, Lavisa Henderson, Diora Morton, Cozetta Rundlett, Glenda Cannon, Gwonda Willis, Yvonne Rodin, brother Albert Henderson, and brother-in-law Keith Dilsaver preceded him in death. Venneth is survived by his wife Donnita of Auburn; daughter and son-in-law Monica and Rob Baker of Auburn; son and daughter-in-law Loren and Connie Henderson of Humboldt; grandchildren Jacob Henderson and fiancée Danielle Stutzman; Sydney Henderson and fiancé William Bebout; Paula Davis; sister Ardath Randall of Fremont, NE; sister-in-law Arlene Henderson of Denver, CO; brothers- and sisters-in-law Royce and Betty Dilsaver of Cheyenne, WY; Don & Bev Dilsaver of Lincoln; many other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be Thursday, July 3, 11:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Inurnment of ashes will be at a later time at Sheridan West Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers.