MENKE, Viola D. 1921 - 2010

MENKE, WIGGENJOST, FRAUNE, KERIN, LOVING

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/30/2014 at 11:16:24

VIOLA D. MENKE

Viola D. Menke, 88, of Clear Lake, passed away Aug. 10, 2010 at Good Shepherd in Mason City, Iowa.

Viola was born Dec. 17, 1921 at Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Henry J. and Emma (Wiggenjost) Fraune. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in Fort Madison in 1939. She then worked for the Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison for three years. On Feb. 14, 1942, she married Edward Menke. The couple farmed for 43 years. They moved the family to Clear Lake in 1963 before retiring to Green Valley, Az. in 1985. Viola returned to Clear Lake after her husband of 63 years preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 2005.

Viola enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, playing cards and traveling.

Surviving family include seven sons, Kenneth (Betty) of Polo, Mo., Larry of Clear Lake, Mark (Marie) of Dearborn, Mo., Paul (Lenice) of Clear Lake, Pat of Clear Lake, Greg of Yucca Valley, Az., John (Caroline) of Garner, Iowa; two daughters, Mary (James) Kerin of Canon City, Colo. and Joyce Menke of Clear Lake; two brothers, Robert (Rose) Fraune of Waterloo, Iowa, and James (Dottie) Fraune of Revere, Mo.; one sister, Helen Loving of West Point, Iowa; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one brother; and five sisters.

A family Celebration of Life was held Aug. 13 with a spreading of the ashes. Cards may be sent to: 405 Birch Avenue, Clear Lake, IA 50428.