Vera M. Reddish, 96, of Grand Island died November 25, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society in Grand Island. Funeral service will be 1:30 PM Friday, December 3, 2021, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Masks are required. Burial will follow at Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Thursday, December 2nd at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Grand Island Special Olympics. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.
Vera M. Reddish was born at her home in Ravenna, NE on March 3, 1925, with her beloved “Mamow” Benesh assisting as midwife. Her parents were Frank Vincent Benesh and Alta John Benesh. The first 11 years of her life, Vera lived in Ravenna. Then after several moves, she and her mother settled in Alliance, NE, where Vera graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1943.
In 1945, Vera married Albert T. Reddish. To this marriage, which dissolved in1969, five children were born and were Vera’s deepest pride and devotion. During those years she enjoyed sewing and baking, making most of her children’s clothing, including her daughter’s wedding gown. She is well remembered for her delicious coffee cakes and Christmas breads that she shared with many. Vera was very active in her beloved Episcopal church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and on the Altar Guild. She was also a Bluebird leader, den mother, and song group leader for an award winning 4-H group. Vera was initiated into Chapter A.H. P.E.O. in Alliance, and then became a charter member of Chapter H.J. in Grand Island. In 2019, she was honored at the State P.E.O. Convention for being a 70-year member.
She started her career as secretary/bookkeeper with Sloan Irrigation in Alliance, then moved to Grand Island where she first worked at Exec Air and then for Harold “Skeez” Green in his various businesses. When he sold Green Body and Equipment to Doug Keller, she worked for him at Eustis Body Shop until she retired in 2000.
Vera was instrumental in starting Special Olympics in Grand Island in 1978. She became a State Board member in 1980 and was chosen as the winner of the Torch Club Award for outstanding female volunteer in 1982. On her 90th birthday, the family celebration needed to wait until she finished time trials for the skating team! Quite a legacy!!
Survivors include her children: Tibb Reddish, Nancy (Curt) Youngman, Jim Benesh, and Tom Reddish; and by the lights of her life, her grandchildren: Jeffrey (Shannon) Youngman of Nashville, TN, Laura (Todd) Youngman Wolfe of Brighton, CO, and Zacchaeus E. Benesh of Genoa, NE.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Anne Louise; grandson, Johnny Moyor; and three-day old baby brother.