Venita Mumby Grundon

Venita Mumby Grundon of Overland Park, Kansas, died Saturday, October 24, 2009, after a courageous battle with Amyotropic Lateral Schlerosis, ALS.

Venita was born on November 16, 1920, on a dairy farm in Bristol Township, Greene County, Iowa, to Herbert John and Vera Kinsman Mumby. Venita's love of sports had its origins in her prowess on the Churdan High School basketball court. She attended Drake University, received her teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers' College, and a Bachelor of Arts from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, Louisiana. Venita loved teaching "little people" to read. She taught kindergarten and first grade in Persia, Iowa, and then Dulac and Kenner, Louisiana, after she moved with her husband and children from Shelby, Iowa, to Louisiana in 1959.

Family and friends admired Venita's spunky zest for living and learning; her commitment to daily exercise with friends at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center; her passion for keeping stats, watching, and talking sports; her tenacious care of her family, her sewing talents, and her ability to celebrate even modest occasions in special, creative ways. As a charter member of the Maxine Fan Club, she embodied the sassy charm and wit of the Hallmark character. Venita's love of family led her to initiate and perpetuate the marvelous Mumby family reunions.

Venita was preceded in death by her husband Fred Richard Grundon, her parents, three sisters Verba Harriott, Vesta Baldridge, and Vivian Flemming. She is survived by her children and their spouses Nicki and Phil Watlington of Leawood, Kansas; Becki and Mike Williams of Plano, Texas; and Rick and Joyce Grundon of Baldwin City, Kansas; and her grandchildren and their spouses Beth and Chad Sansome, Amy and Neal Williams, and Kara and Eric Sughrue. She cherished the short time she shared with her foster great grandchildren Cedric, Jada, and Jack and looked forward to the births of Kinsman Keyes Sughrue and great grandbaby Williams.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the KC Metro ALS Association, the Landon Center for Aging, and North Care Hospice for providing equipment and the services of an incredible group of nurses, doctors, and therapists; Venita's caregivers at Freedom Pointe of Overland Park; and the companions who became like family as they offered precious time and loving care to Venita. Nicki, Becki, and Rick would also like to thank Venita's friends and family who filled her life with love and friendship. Words are not enough.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Venita's memory to the KC Metro Area Keith Worthington Chapter of the ALS Association, 6950 Squibb Road, Suite 210, Mission, Kansas, 66202, 800-878-2062, www.alsa-midwest.org

Visistation and Funeral Service

Her funeral service will be held on November 1, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. at the Amos Family Funeral Home. The family will greet friends beginning at 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2 at Highland Township Cemetary, Churdan, Iowa.