Venita Almeda Liebert — Rochester

Venita Almeda Liebert passed away at the age of 89 on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Venita was born Feb. 17, 1925, to Robert and Wilma (Simmerman) Smith in Le Sueur. She grew up and attended school in the Belle Plaine area. Venita loved spending time with her siblings, Leward, Lyle, Robert, Norma, Doris and Mary Alice.Venita married Roy Johnson in 1942, and they were blessed with three wonderful children, Vivian, Carl and Wilma. They later divorced, and Venita then married Joe Liebert. Together, Joe and Venita farmed land in Jordan for many years. Venita also worked for many years as a certified nursing assistant at Valley View in Jordan and in Rogers, Ark., where she moved after Joe passed away.

After retiring, Venita moved back to Minnesota and lived in Rochester with her daughter, Wilma. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She was always baking special treats for those she loved. Venita had a strong faith and was an active member of Victory Baptist Church where she touched many lives and received many blessings in return.

Venita will be remembered always by her loving children, Carl Johnson and Wilma Vaught; grandchildren, Robin, Andrew (Debra), Stacy, Joe, Rosemary (Cooper), Brian (Kelly) and Brad (Brenda); 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sisters, Norma (Ray) Reiter and Doris Rushmeyer; sister-in-law, Lyla Smith; son-in-law, Gilbert Manning; other loving relatives and friends.

There to greet Venita in Heaven is her husband, Joe Liebert; daughter, Vivian Manning; parents, Robert and Wilma Smith; siblings, Leward Smith, Lyle Smith, Robert Smith and Mary Alice Busse.

Pallbearers for Venita, are Andrew Manning, Nate Manning, Brian Vaught, Brad Vaught, Brandon Vaught, Joe Johnson, David Gamradt and Cooper Kurdziolek.

The celebration of life service will be Thursday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m., with visitation one hour prior at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Jordan. Venita will be laid to rest next to her beloved Joe at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 First St. West, Jordan, MN 55352, 952-492-2818,ballardsunderfuneral.com.