Lillian Iris Venteicher

Lillian Iris Leonard Venteicher (Tex) was born on July 27, 1935 in Ruliss, Texas to Dempsey and Lula (Perkins) Leonard. She grew up near Deweyville, Texas where she attended grade school and graduated from high school in 1953. As a young girl, Lillian experienced a hard life. Her mother passed away when she was 3 years old and her family struggled during those difficult times. One bright spot for Lillian was basketball. After her schooling, she enlisted in the United States Army. Her time was spent stateside, but she also participated in basketball, scoring 45 points in one game. Lillian married Leo Venteicher (Van) on December 28, 1954 at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC and to this union seven children were born: Christina, Deborah, Sharon, Diana, Leo, Jr., Dale and Stephen. Lillian and Leo have raised their family in Washington, DC, Carter Lake, Omaha, Bennington for 23 years and back to Omaha for the last 15 years. Lillian first and foremost was a loving wife and mother. In addition she always worked to help her family at home as a beautician, for First Data, Western Electric and Grey Hound. She was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn, American Legion Post #266 in Bennington and 8 and 40. Lillian enjoyed bowling, crochet a genealogy but her passion was her family. She was an avid Husker football and Texas Longhorn fan. She was stubborn and strong willed, both traits that she passed on to her children. Lillian was happiest when her family could gather together no matter what the occasion. Lillian passed away suddenly on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at her home in Omaha with her husband Leo at her side at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 14 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Dempsey and Lula, siblings Mavis Wheeler, Melvin Leonard, Elbert Leonard, Archie Leonard and Billy Leonard, daughter Christina and Deborah and grandson Joey. Lillian is survived by her husband of 56 years, Leo; sons and daughters-in-law Leo, Jr and Terry of Omaha, Dale and Karen of Savage, MN and Stephen and Sue of Omaha; daughters Sharon Peterson and Diana Hulsebusch both of Omaha; 28 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; sister Estelle Young of Sherman, Texas and son-in-law Bernie Bruning of Omaha;

Lillian Iris Venteicher

July 27, 1935 - February 10, 2011