Betty Jean “Tiny” Vomberg

Betty Jean “Tiny” Vomberg

January 28, 1940 – May 29, 2022

 VISITATION: Saturday, June 4th from 10am to 11am at the West Center Chapel, followed by SERVICE at 11am.  Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.  Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.


Betty “Tiny” McMichael Vomberg, 82, of Omaha, passed away May 29, 2022. She was born January 28, 1940, to Prudence Wilkie and Arthur Chittenden, in Des Moines, Iowa. Tiny graduated from Omaha North High School in 1958 and attended Omaha University where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She was married to Arthur Vomberg Jr. in 1962. Tiny is survived by her husband of 60 years, Art, sister Peggy Garret of Murphys, California, daughter Jennifer “JJ” McCaw (Tim) and grandsons Zachary and Adam.  Tiny was preceded in death by her mother Prudence Wilkie, stepfather W. Irving Wilkie, and brother Don McMichael.

Tiny has always been a survivor. Born with choanal atresia, she underwent her first surgery at only days old. When she was nine years old, Tiny was stricken with polio. She spent many months hospitalized or in a cast, then walked on crutches because of severely affected left leg muscles. Tiny underwent operations for muscle transplants. Told she might never walk without crutches, Tiny proved everyone wrong and not only went on to become a dancer in many musical productions, but taught dancing for several years.

During the 1950s and early 60s Tiny competed in, and often won, many beauty pageants. She was the runner-up for Miss Omaha in 1960, the 1961 University of Omaha Tomakawk Queen, and the Nebraska Motor Sports Show Queen in 1961. Her Miss Omaha pageant photo graced the family wall for as long as the family can remember.

After marrying Art, they eventually moved to Wisconsin where they met John Menard and helped start Menard Cashway Lumber. After 11 years of marriage and opening at least 6 Menard stores, Tiny and Art welcomed their daughter Jennifer Jo (JJ) in April of 1973. They left Menards, and after a short 9-month stint in Cleaveland, Ohio, moved to St. Louis, Missouri where they owned and operated 3 paint and wallpaper stores for over 10 years.

Tragedy struck again in 1982 when their home was destroyed by arson while they were out of town fishing in Canada. Through it all, Tiny kept a stiff upper lip, and worked with her husband to build a new home.

After the sale of the paint and wallpaper stores, Tiny sold real estate in St. Louis and then again in Omaha, Nebraska when they moved in 1995. In 2005, Art and Tiny purchased Art’s High Ridge Self Storage in High Ridge, Missouri and moved to the Lake of the Ozarks. In 2021, they moved back to Omaha to be closer to their daughter and her family.

Tiny was an avid fisherman, boater, seamstress, reader, and crafter. She loved to have people over and was a great host. Tiny touched many lives as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She always had an activity planned and will be fondly remembered for annual tree cutting parties after Thanksgiving in St. Louis, Fourth of July get togethers in Omaha, and playing cards until all hours of the morning.

Tiny’s grandsons fondly remember playing hide-and-seek with her, sewing a blanket for their dog, swimming at the Lake of the Ozarks, taking them on their first helicopter ride, and playing cards. She loved hearing about and watching their football games, and even watched them on the computer when possible. Tiny was so proud to wear her Omaha Skutt High School Football shirts with their name and number on the back on game days even when she wasn’t in town!

Tiny loved life and always had a smile on her face. Even though her final months were spent in Memory Care, she was still trying to plan the next party! We will miss her immensely.

 

10 Comments

  • Steve and Linda Lage Posted June 1, 2022 11:34 am

    Life and prayers for JJ and family. We will always remember Tiny as an beautiful vibrant soul.

  • Susie Dishon Secrest Posted June 1, 2022 5:36 pm

    Dear JJ,

    I just received word of your mother’s passing. I am so saddened by this news. She and I were Alpha Xi Delta pledge class sisters at UNO. We had stayed in touch through the years. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I will miss her greatly. She was a dear friend. Hugs and prayers for you and your family. May God bless you with His peace and comfort

  • Kathryn Dolan Manes Posted June 1, 2022 11:44 pm

    I’ll always remember Tiny. Even though her nickname was Tiny, she was mighty. I admired her for her tenacity, talent, and reaching high goals.

  • Donald & Patricia Wilkie Posted June 2, 2022 7:35 am

    Sorry to hear of Tiny’s death-we have some fond memories of her & Art, we are leaving on a fishing trip early Saturday so will not be able to attend the service it would be nice to hear of your adventures since we last had cointact. Don * Pat

  • Ann Reckel Posted June 2, 2022 2:24 pm

    Sympathies to you and yours. So sad to get this news. She was always a joy to be around. Memories flooding in of trips together, moose chili, brandy manhattans,boat rides and great rib cookouts. A favorie charity?

    • Jennifer McCaw Posted June 2, 2022 3:32 pm

      We were thinking the Alzheimer’s Association. Thank you, JJ

  • Kathy McMichael Posted June 2, 2022 3:58 pm

    It saddens my heart to hear of Tiny’s passing. We enjoyed so many good times and laughs together. I will miss her dearly.

  • Becky Wetenkamp Posted June 3, 2022 5:12 am

    Dear JJ, I’m so sorry that I knew so little about your amazing mom. Now I know where you get your spunk. You will miss her forever, but she will be forever in your heart and will live in your memories.

  • Karolee “Bunnie” Wybenga Olsen Posted June 3, 2022 8:31 am

    As all of us reflect on our relationship with Tiny, we remember the joy of being included in her large circle of friends. Tiny’s energy and vivacious personality had an effect on all of us. Your family has rich and lasting memories.

  • Steve & Noreen Markham Posted June 5, 2022 5:49 pm

    Our deepest sympathy to you,Art, and all other family members. We have very fond memories of Tiny. Some people leave a lasting memory, and she definitely did! Many happy hours spent with Tiny, she was a wonderful, caring woman. I was describing Tiny to my girls once, I said if I asked Tiny to go to the Moon tomorrow, she would say- what time! She will be missed.

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