Donald R. Menke, 86 of Macon, Missouri and formerly of Manning, died Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at his home in Macon, Missouri.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be provided by Kathy Halbur and Sherry Loughran. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Susanne Soppe. Gift Bearers will be Jaci Menke and Elijah Boggle. Casket Bearers will be Drew Menke, Jake Menke, Elijah Menke, Jordon Werner, Steve Menke and Mitch Schultes. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Manning VFW and the Carroll American Legion.
A visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church on Tuesday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for a later designation.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Don’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Donald Raymond Menke was born on July 28, 1938 in Houghton, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Anna (Woerdeman) Menke. At the age of 12, the family moved to Harper, Iowa where Don later graduated from St. Elizabeth High School.
Following graduation, Don proudly served in the United States Army for two years until his honorable discharge. On July 10, 1965, he married the love of his life, Betty Cecilia Soppe in Des Moines, Iowa. Together, they raised three children: Jeff, Dennis, and Jean.
Don worked as a hog buyer for Oscar Mayer and later for Excel until his retirement. Even after retiring, he continued to haul livestock until the fall of 2024. In 1991, Don and Betty fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing an acreage in Macon, Missouri, where they enjoyed raising livestock together.
A devoted Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes Fan, Don found joy in the simple pleasures of life. After Betty’s passing in February of 2008, Don reconnected with his high school classmate Joann Holtkamp at a reunion in June of the same year. The two formed a special bond and enjoyed many trips to the casino and countless card games.
Don is survived by his children: Jeff (Donna) Menke of Mitchellville, Dennis (Michelle) Menke of Ankeny and Jean (Brad) Werner of Sac City; his cherished grandchildren: Jordon (Sophia) Werner, Drew Menke, Jaci (Elijah) Menke, Elijah Menke, and Jake Menke; step-grandchildren: Tammy (Nathan) Peters and Jason Werner; his dear friend, Joann Holtkamp of Donellson; his sisters: Eileen Clarahan of Marion and Mary Ann (Allan) Bohr of Columbia, Missouri; his sisters-in-law: Jean Soppe of Papillion, Nebraska and Cheryl (Alan) Schultes of Dedham and Kathleen Menke of Sigourney; his brothers-in-law: Don (Susanne) Soppe of McFarland, Wisconsin and Dr. Mike (Pat) Soppe of Carroll; as well as other extended relatives and many friends.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Betty Menke; his parents, Alvin and Anna Menke; his sister, Jane; brother Victor; brothers-in-law, Paul Clarahan and Charlie Clarahan; and his parents-in-law, Andrew and Marie Soppe.
Don’s life was marked by love, hard work, a deep appreciation for family and friendship. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
