Veneta "Venny" Lenzmeier

On January 15, 2017, Veneta “Venny” Mary Lenzmeier kept her date with Jim, the love of her life and husband of 40 years; but only after keeping him waiting in Heaven for the last 18 years. Venny passed away at her home, the Grandview, after a bout of pneumonia and newly detected kidney failure. A funeral liturgy will be held 10:00 a.m. at the UGF Trinitas Chapel, 1301 20th Street South, on Friday, January 20, 2017. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the mass. A private burial will take place at Mount Olivet at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Venny was born in Rushden, England on January 18, 1933 to Peter and Mabel Wheeldon. While working as a travel agent, Venny met Jim and she knew right away that he was her soul mate. On March 21, 1959, they were married at RAF Alconbury, England. They had two daughters, Samantha and Jean. Venny was passionate about lifevolunteerism, travel, her friends, caring for her family, her cat Miss Kitty and above all – she loved shopping. Venny was a very generous and loving person and showered her friends and family with gifts. She was fiercely independent but chose to move to the Grandview shortly before her passing. She found the staff to be so caring and nice. She commented on how good the food was and told everyone how much she loved her new home. Venny served alongside Jim, supporting the requirements of military service but also serving in many volunteer capacities of her own. Some of her volunteer work included the Officer Wives’ Club, Welcome Wagon, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. She was actively involved in the Great Falls Head Start program. She volunteered with various political campaigns and felt strongly about helping the Rescue Mission. She led Girl Scout troops, created a neighborhood watch group, served on the Trinitas Board, and worked in the Trinitas Gallery of the University of Great Falls, for many years. Each year at the UGF graduation, Venny could be found serving cake to the graduates and their families. She was very involved in the UGF chapel until it closed. Serving as an officer’s wife suited Venny well, as she loved to travel. With Jim, she travelled all over the world, living in Taiwan, Iran, and many different states. Even after Jim died, Venny continued to travel with the “English Gals” going to concerts and to Canada. She also traveled with her “lunch bunch” on the Mountain West Bank tours. She took the family to England, Hawaii, on a Disney Cruise, and to the Bahamas. Because of this love of traveling, Venny belonged to the Great Falls Travel Club and served in various executive roles for many years. Venny was proud to have become an American citizen. Talking politics and campaigning for candidates was not only something she enjoyed but something she felt was a citizen’s responsibility. Despite her pride of being an American, she was still English through and through. In true English style, she enjoyed a “cuppa” tea through to the end. She never lost her British accent even after 50 years and she was “mad” about the Royals. She held a variety of jobs in her lifetime but her primary job was always being a wife and mother. She retired from U.S. Bank in 1995 and worked at the Bon Marche until it closed. Venny was passionate about crossword and jigsaw puzzles, problem solving, bingo, painting and drawing, hosting parties, talking about politics, and reading. As most can attest, Venny would never pass up an opportunity to shop. Miss Kitty, her fluffy white “baby” was one of her great loves. Miss Kitty came to live with her several years after Jim had passed. Venny never tired of telling people about Miss Kitty and how much she meant to her. Venny was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lt. Col. James A. Lenzmeier, USAF Retired. She is survived by daughters, Samantha and Troy Humphrey and Jean and Michael Smith; their children, Andrew Smith, Bailey and Gordon Menager, Emily and Kory Linn, Cody Humphrey and Breanna Humphrey: sister-in-law Judy Faletti and her family; Miss Kitty and many dear friends who will miss her. She was a one of a kind wife, mother, grandmother, confidante, counselor, and friend. She left a lasting mark on the world and will be missed terribly. A special thank you to the Grandview Reflections staff for their unending attentiveness, care, prayers, and love they showed to our mom. Memorials can be made to the Great Falls Rescue Mission, 317 2nd Ave. S., Great Falls MT, 59401 or the Maclean Animal Adoption Center, PO Box 3426, Great Falls MT, 59403.