Venita L. Waggoner, 88, was ushered into the presence of her Savior on Monday, May 27, 2024 after her 14 yr battle with polycythemia vera. She was born in Anthony, Kansas to Eugene Griffith Gates and Jamima (Garlow) Gates, the seventh of nine children. She was raised in rural Hazelton, Kansas where she attended Sand Creek one room school house until attending Hazelton Schools and was a 1953 graduate at Hazelton High School. She loved competition and playing softball, basketball, volleyball in her school years.
The love of her life, Dee, saw her when she was in 8th grade and stated he would marry her, which he did on June 27, 1953. They began their married life in Fort Riley, Kansas, where their first son Greg was born in 1954. They returned to the Wichita area in 1955 where their daughter Patricia was born. Dee and Venita moved to Corwin, Kansas to be close to family where two more children, David and Jeannie, joined the family circle. 1958 brought heartache at the death of their infant son David. The family moved to rural Valley Center in 1962 where they have remained to this day.
Dee and Venita rodeoed on weekends until 1967 when she came to know the Lord. They began attending church where she did a 4 year Bible Study with Mrs. Nutter where she grounded her children in seeking the Lord, studying God's Word and living for Him. She was an amazing prayer warrior when God placed names on her heart and when people asked for prayer she would gather the family to kneel and pray at the couch. She wore the beloved names wife, mom, Nana, sister, "Skeeter", aunt, cousin and friend.
Having learned baking, cooking and all from her mom on the family farm, she was well known for her cinnamon rolls, chicken n noodles, jellies (sand plum fav), cookies and more. In VC she was a waitress at Jones Restaurant, cooked for USD 262 schools, then since 2003 at Baker Funeral Home VC.
They worked with youth, loved helping around the church, and willing to serve in any capacity. Their greatest love also was their family, and traveled to see their grandchildren excel in so many areas of life.
Venita is survived by her children, Greg (Sandy) Waggoner of Amarillo, TX, Patricia (Mark) Huston of Hutchinson, KS and Jeannie (Mike) Voges of Valley Center; grandchildren, Boone (Dayna) Waggoner, Amber (Tim) Swartz, Tandolynn (Josh) Hinojosa, Jenna (Brad) Brack, Heather (Doug) Marshall, John (Dresden) Huston, Clay (Brittany) Waggoner, Kelloway Norton; great grandchildren, Colt Waggoner, Emma Waggoner, Jeremiah Swartz, Kelli Waggoner, Aurora Swartz, Caedmon Marshall, Conley Brack, Josiah Swartz, Cora Brack, Ariella Swartz, Illeana Marshall, Audrey Huston, Thane Norton, Heidi Huston, Tyler Moeller and Maggie Moeller; brother Harold Gates, sister Shirley Hamm; brother-in-law David Waggoner, sister-in-law Joyce Waggoner, many nephews, nieces, other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband F. Dee Waggoner, infant son David Eugene Waggoner, parents Eugene and Jamima Gates, siblings Merle Gates, Eileen Griekspoor, Dean Gates, Norma Ballard, Robert “Bob” Gates, and Roger Gates, many nieces, and nephews.
Visitation 2 p.m. and Service 3 p.m., both held on Thursday, May 30, at Faith Church, 325 N. Emporia, Valley Center, Kansas (livestream available).
Memorials in her memory, in lieu of flowers, may be designated to Venita Waggoner Memorial for Phoenix Hospice, 3450 N. Rock Rd Bldg 200 Ste 213, Wichita, Ks 67226 or the Greg Waggoner Cowboy Preacher Ministry % New Life Baptist Church, 1231 W. Freemont, Galesburg, IL 61401). Private burial at Forest Park Cemetery, Anthony, Kansas.
A special blessing and thanks to Phoenix Hospice Staff for their personal care, amazing love, and comforting encouragement these past seven months with Mom.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.