Venita Mae Elrod

Venita was one of thirteen children, survived by two sisters, Nancy Bloom and Retha Hornbostel, and two brothers, James and Lowell McCann and multiple nieces and nephews.

Venita was raised on a farm and helped with daily chores such as milking ten cows both morning and night, weeding the corn fields in the summer, driving a team of horses, and looking after younger siblings. She also helped with household chores including dishes at night, where she and sisters' Nancy and Retha would practice singing and harmonizing. They were so popular that they sang at church quite frequently.

Venita graduated from Oneida, Kansas High School in 1949, where she was a star guard for the Women's Basketball Team, and chalk artist for school announcement board. Venita worked at an ice cream parlor in Clay Center, was a "mailman" at Boeing Wichita, and later in life she was a Librarian in Fall River, Kansas.

Venita met the love of her life Bob, while working at Boeing, dated six months, and married on November 24, 1951, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Venita and Bob spent 73 years together, raising kids, fishing, gardening, traveling, and just enjoying each other's company. Together they had three children, Becky, Sandy, and Rob.

Venita was a 1950's stay at home mom. She was active in the schools' PTA, was a leader for her daughter's Camp Fire Girls, and because of her fear of water, she ensured that her kids learned to swim. Venita was a God fearing, kind, loving, nurturing, great story telling mother. She always looked out for her kids. Every year we could count on mom to make each child their own birthday cake without fail. She sewed many dresses for both Becky and Sandy throughout their school years. When we got in trouble, her most fierce words were "You just wait until your father gets home." Mom was known for making the best mac-n-cheese, Chef Boyardee Cheese Pizza, fried chicken, and 5 spice casserole in town. Later in her life she also achieved the title of "Crappie Queen" for her ability as the crappie whisperer of Fall River Lake.

Venita showed great courage, strength, and faith in God, when on numerous occasions Rob had one of his numerous accidents, like being hit by a car, three or four motorcycle accidents, and the time the car battery exploded in his face in the driveway at home. Several of these occasions she faced without Bob, as he would be away picking up a new fire truck and out of state. She somehow held it together and stayed calm, until help arrived. Mom didn't have that much pause or worry with Becky or Sandy. Although Mom did say there was the one time in her life when Sandy had her tonsils out, got a throat infection and couldn't talk, that it was the most quite two weeks in her life. One of her most favorite TV show was "Joy in Painting" with Bob Ross. Venita was very artistic with pencil, chalk, and acrylic paint. Both Becky, Sandy, and the grandkids, have several works of art by mom. Our momma was one of a kind, and we're going to miss her greatly.

Venita is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert "Bob" Elrod Sr.; son, Robert "Rob" Elrod Jr.; son-in-law, Michael Jansen; and numerous brothers and sisters.

Those who honor her memory are daughter, Rebecca (Richard) Ferguson; grandsons, Sean (Samantha) Ferguson and Ryan (Melody) Ferguson; daughter, Sandra Jansen; grandson, Joshua (Erin) Jansen; great-grandchildren, Cora and Caleb Jansen; granddaughter, Jessica (Matt) Rikoff; and great-grandchildren, Aimee, Addison, Aidan, and Abbigail Foreman.

We'll remember you Momma.

A visitation for Venita will be held Monday, March 31, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Resthaven Mortuary with a graveside service following the visitation at 1:30 PM. Both at Resthaven Mortuary and Resthaven Gardens of Memory, in the Garden of Lord's Prayer, 11800 West Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67209.