Veneta Merrick, 85, of Kahoka, MO died Sunday, November 13, 2005 at the Keokuk Area Hospital in Keokuk, IA. She was born August 24, 1920 in Bonaparte, IA, a daughter of Herchel and Naomi Humphrey Nichols. She was united in marriage to G. Eddie Merrick on December 20, 1940 in Kahoka, MO. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1989. Veneta and her husband had lived and farmed in the Asbury Community until moving to Luray, MO in 1967. In 1988 they moved to Kahoka, MO. Veneta had worked at Sheller Globe in Keokuk, IA for 23 years until her retirement. She was a member of the Kahoka United Methodist Church and the Missouri Longriders. She was on the OATS board and was the Volunteer of the Year in 2000; she also loved volunteering at the Clark County Nursing Home. She collected angels and salt and pepper shakers and did a lot of canvas work. Above all else, she loved spending time with her family, especially the kids. She was a warm and gentle person and will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include one sister, Vada Bergman and her husband Delbert of Burnside, IL, one brother, Lowell Nichols and his wife Marie of Luray, MO, and several nieces and nephews, including Ronnie Busby and his wife Karen of Luray, MO, Dawn Busby and her children Shannon and Cheyann Hoenig of Kahoka, MO, and Niki Wardlow, her husband Jake and her son Blaine of Kahoka, MO, and other relatives. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Juanita Busby and Carolene Nichols in infancy, and three brothers, Carmon, Verlin, and Floyd Nichols. Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, November 17, 2005 at the Kahoka United Methodist Church with Pastor Deborah Schmidt officiating. Burial was in the Harness Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, IA. Visitation was held after 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, with the family meeting with friends from 6-8 P.M. at the Vigen Memorial Home in Kahoka, MO. Memorials were made to the Harness Cemetery or the Clark County Rescue Squad.