Obituary of Eldon Menke

Eldon Edward Ernest Menke, the son of Edward and Ella (Runge) Menke was born September 29, 1933 in Primghar, IA. Eldon spent his youth in the Hartley/May City area where he went to country school through the 5th grade. He then attended the Hartley Public School system, graduating in 1953. Eldon enlisted in the United States Army on February 24, 1954 and was honorably discharged on December 6, 1955. On January 14, 1956, Eldon was united in marriage to Merna Rae Dodge at the Hartley Methodist Church. To this union, five children were born: Lori, Randy, Kenny, Steven, and Julie. The couple farmed in the Hartley area their entire married life until moving into the town of Hartley in 1999. Eldon enjoyed fishing, a good game of cards and his faithful dogs. He was a member of the American Legion Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288 of Hartley. In July of 2013, he moved to Community Memorial Assisted Living in Hartley. On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, he passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA at the age of 80. Eldon is survived by his children: Lori (Ken) Smith, Randy (Rhonda) Menke, Kenny Menke, Steven Menke, and Julie (Jon) Schaben; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters: Dorothy Mather, Marlene Iblings, and Karen (Mort) Rosenboom. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Merna on September 9, 2011; and a granddaughter, Alex Schaben.