Vanetta Jean "Jeannie" Larrick

Memorials to the Omaha Christian Academy. Vanetta Jean “Jeannie” Larrick was born January 9th, 1949 in Campbell, NE during the famous snowy winter of 1948-1949. Coincidently, Jeannie was born in the same house her future husband was also born in just 4 months prior. Jeannie grew up on her family’s farm just outside the quaint town of Bladen, Nebraska. While growing up, Jeannie enjoyed attending dance and tap classes and taking piano lessons. She liked to read, ride her bike, crochet, sew, cook, and keep up with her farm chores. Jeannie attended elementary and high school in Bladen and was a part of the Bladen Bulldogs graduating class of 1967. While in high school, Jeannie played the drums in the school band, ran track, excelled as a volleyball player, and was a cheerleader. She was also active in 4-H where she showed cattle and home economics at the fair. Jeannie loved music and singing. She had a beautiful singing voice and could be found singing solos, singing in choirs, with her sisters,and later with her husband and children at various events and church services. Jeannie was also an active member of her church. With all the activities Jeannie was involved with, it wasn’t surprising she was homecoming queen her senior year of high school. After high school, Jeannie attended Kearney State College, now known as UNK. While at Kearney State, Jeannie found that she enjoyed working in their college library. She also found she enjoyed being with James (Jim) Larrick as she accepted his proposal of marriage while they were both attending the college. Jeannie graduated in January of 1971 with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Later that year, on June 19th, 1971, Jim and Jeannie were married at the United Methodist Church in Bladen. It was a long time coming! Jim and Jeannie grew up just a few miles apart. They attended the same elementary and high school where they were high school sweethearts. Jim was determined to marry Jeannie, enough so to propose to her three times. As Jeannie would explain it, Jim wasn’t on his knee the first time he asked her, then he started laughing the second time he asked. Thankfully, the 3rd time he got his act together and executed the proposal to her liking and she graciously accepted. After they married, they moved to Omaha for a short time before they found their long term home on good ol’ Whittingham Street in Valley, Nebraska. During their early years in Valley, Jeannie taught at the local Valley elementary school and Jim worked at Mutual of Omaha. They welcomed their first child, David, in July of 1976. Three years later, in July of 1979, she gave David a little brother, Daniel. Fast forward five years and they completed their family with a little girl, Diana, in August, 1984. Jeannie taught full time in Valley until Daniel was born. After his birth, she worked in the Valley school system as a substitute teacher. In 1988, the two boys started attending Omaha Christian Academy. Jeannie started substitute teaching at OCA that year and accepted a full time teaching position the next school year. Jeannie’s love for Jesus Christ led her and her three children to OCA. It was her calling. She taught elementary and middle school age children there until she retired in 2012. Jeannie was always active in her community. During her teen years, she worked as a secretary for the church minister and helped at church camps and was also active in the church youth group. As an adult, she remained active in her local church. She held many leadership roles, as well as teaching Sunday School and leading Bible Studies. Jeannie enjoyed being a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was often in charge of coming up with themes, decorations, and programs for their many events and fund raising activities. She proudly served on the board of the Valley Public library. Her ideas and leadership contributed to the betterment of the library. In retirement, her work in the community did not end. Jeannie was often to be found at the Sienna Francis House. There she taught people how to sew, crochet, make blankets, scarves, and decorations. She poured her love into her community. She never met a person in need that she did not try to help in some way. As a last gift to her home town, she and her siblings transformed an open lot on Main Street into a Veterans’ Memorial. After retirement, Jeannie and Jim went on several beautiful cruises. When at home in the summertime, she spent countless hours in her garden, as she loved to garden and make zucchini bread and rhubarb jam from the fruits of her labor. Jeannie loved her grandkids and took great joy in taking them to the Valley library, baking with them, teaching them to sew, and so much more. There was so much that she gave to so many. Jeannie will be loved and missed by all who knew her. Vanetta Jean “Jeannie” Larrick, age 69, formerly of Valley, NE, died 11/26/18. She is preceded in death by parents Glenn & Elaine Vance. Survived by husband James of Valley, sons and daughters-in-law David & Kari of Omaha, and their children Curin and Conley; Daniel & Rebekka of Blair, NE, and their children Madilyn, Nolan, and Ansley; daughter and son-in-law Diana & Jarrod Benson of Valley, and their children Quinn Garges and Cassius Benson; brother and sister-in-law Roger & Charlene Vance, sisters and brother-in-law LeAnn & James Johnson and Janice Hartman, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral service 11 AM Friday, United Faith Community Church, Valley, NE. Visitation Thursday from Noon to 8 PM at the funeral home in Elkhorn with family receiving friends from 5-8 PM. Graveside service Saturday, 11 AM at East Lawn Cemetery, Bladen, NE. Memorials to the Omaha Christian Academy.

Vanetta Jean "Jeannie" Larrick

January 9, 1949 - November 26, 2018