Obituary of Vanita Adeline McNees

Vanita Adeline McNees, age 92, passed away in Omaha, Nebraska on November 9th, 2024. Vanita was born May 27, 1932, in Columbia, Missouri to Leondias Brown and Mary Ethel (Thomason) Garrard. She grew up as an only child in Columbia, Missouri, frequently helping her dad harvest honey from his bee hives. After high school, Vanita attended Christian College, where she got her associates in the arts.

Vanita met her husband, John Dean McNees, on a blind date; moved to Iowa where they were married on February 23, 1956. She was a city girl but quickly learned how to garden, care for chickens, and tend to other farm tasks. Learning to live on the family farm and becoming a farmer’s wife was a challenge, but Vanita and John ran a successful farm by making improvements and building a future together.

Five children were born to this union-John Garrard (Gary); Barbara Ann; Susan Eileen; Joseph Franklin; and Julia Mae.

Vanita was an avid gardener with a passion for nurturing beautiful spaces and putting up bountiful produce from her gardens. Her love of reading books kept her searching for the next best series to pursue. Canasta grew to be Vanita’s favorite card game, and she enjoyed playing with friends.

Vanita and John enjoyed traveling all over the country after retirement, visiting many memorable places. In the winter time, they became snowbirds and loved the warmth of the sun and the community of friends in Edinburg, Texas.

Vanita is survived by her children: Gary (Lynn) of New Market, Iowa; Barb (Eric) Moench of Omaha, Nebraska; Susan McNees of Vancouver, Washington; Joe (Kim) McNees of New Market, Iowa; and Julie McNees of Urbandale, Iowa. Thirteen grandchildren include Amanda (Shetler) and Jonathan McNees; Jessica (Hawley), Aaron, Justin, Emily (Cheek), Matthew, Nathan, and Breanne Moench; Preston McNees and Cassie (Marckmann); Ashley (Appleman) and Eli McNees. Vanita has 16 great-grandchildren, who affectionately call her “Nana”.

Vanita was preceded in death by her parents, Leondias and Mary (Thomason) Garrard, and her husband of 50 years, John D. McNees.