Obituary of Merna Menke

Merna Rae (Dodge) Menke, the daughter of Everett and Averil (Sones) Dodge, was born on March 26, 1935, in Sioux City, IA. She spent her childhood years in Hartley, IA, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Hartley High School with the class of 1953. On January 14, 1956, she married Eldon Menke in Hartley. Following their marriage, the couple farmed northwest of Hartley until 1998. They were blessed with five children: Lori, Randy, Kenny, Steven, and Julie. Along with taking care of her home and family, Merna enjoyed 28 years working as a librarian at the Hartley Public Library. Reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors were among her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed watching Iowa college teams, and her cookie jar was always full. She was an active member of her church and community. She had been a faithful blood donor throughout her life. Following a six year battle with cancer, Merna passed away peacefully at her home in Hartley on Friday, September 9, 2011, at the age of 76. Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 55 years, Eldon; her children and their families: Lori and Ken Smith, Randy and Rhonda Menke, and Kenny Menke, all of Hartley, Steven and Stephanie Menke of Lakewood, CO, and Julie and Jon Schaben of Dunlap, IA; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Darrell Dodge of Hartley; two sisters, Janna Dirks of Spencer, IA, and Deena Pyle of Ankeny, IA; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Gordon Dodge; a granddaughter, Alexandria Schaben; three brothers-in-law, Glenn Iblings, Frank Mather, and Donald Dirks. In loving memory of Merna R. Menke Born ~ March 26, 1935 Died ~ September 9, 2011 Age ~ 76 years 5 months 13 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2011 United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Bonnie Linder Soloist ~ Cindy Campbell “Give Me Jesus” Congregational Singing “In the Garden” “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Pallbearers Kyle Smith Landon Smith Craig Menke Austin Schaben Ryan Schaben Walter Schaben Griffin Menke Honorary Pallbearers Karmen Smith Carissa Menke Erika Menke Bailey Schaben Riley Menke Ushers David Hobson Pete Back Burial Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa