Person Page 4,384

Leonard Garret (Tator) Menke was born on 14 January 1927 in Saint Paul, Lee, Iowa.¹ He died on 31 July 1991, at age 64, in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa.¹ He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Lee, Iowa.¹

US Army- 19 Feb 1952- 02 Feb 1954.²

Michael Jason Menke was born on 15 December 1961 in Fort Madison, Lee, Iowa.¹ He died on 18 January 2011, at age 49, in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa.¹ He was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa.¹

Michael Menke

Michael J. "Skinny" Menke, 49, of West Point died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Born Dec. 15, 1961, in Fort Madison, he was the son of Leonard G. "Tator" and Wanda D. Harris Menke and his stepfather, Stuart L. Smith.

Mr. Menke managed several McDonalds stores in the Cedar Rapids area and moved to the West Point area in 1986 to farm with his father. He grew up in the Cedar Rapids area and graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids in 1980. He was of the Christian faith.

He served as a trustee for Pleasant Ridge Township and on the West Point Fire Board. He was a Boy Scout with Troop 33 in Cedar Rapids, and attained Eagle Scout rank. He played Santa at Christmas for many area children. He enjoyed playing pool, bowling, fishing, playing cards, going to auctions and visiting with friends.

Survivors include his mother, Wanda Smith of West Point; three sisters, Amy Menke of West Point, Patty Ross of Fort Madison and Kristine Burkle of Cedar Rapids; his grandfather, Richard Smith of Danville; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, his stepfather and several brothers and sisters. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mount Pleasant.

Menke died in 1955 in Iowa. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Lee, Iowa.

Mary Menke was born in 1950.¹ She died on 24 December 1950, at age ~0.¹ She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Lee, Iowa.¹

From the Bee-Star "Remember When" column published in the Fort Madison Daily Democrat on Dec. 29, 2015:

65 years ago, 1950
Mary Menke, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Menke, West Point, died December 24th.

Joseph K. Menke was born in 1953.¹ He died in 1953, at age ~0.¹ He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Lee, Iowa.¹

Amy C. Menke was born on 21 January 1957 in Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa.¹ She died on 5 December 2020, at age 63, in West Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa, Cremated.¹

Amy C. Menke, 63, of Danville, formerly of West Point, Iowa, passed away 7:03 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2020, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on January 21, 1957, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard G. “Tater” and Wanda D. (Harris) Menke.

Survivors include her "one and only" daughter, Audrey Memke of Danville; mother, Wanda Smith of Danville; one sister, Kris (Jeff) Burkle of Cedar Rapids; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and five special kiddos, Clarabella, Hunter, Jayden, Brynlee and Alfred.

She was preceded in death by her father; step-father: Stuart L. Smith; two brothers: Joseph K. Menke, Michael J. Menke; two sisters: Patty (Howard) Ross, Marcia Smith and siblings in infancy.

Amy spent her childhood between West Point and Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids in 1975. She then attended Kirkwood Community college and obtained her welding certificate. She worked at FMC for several years and served as a union steward. Amy then decided to return to West Point to assist her father and brother run the family farm. She worked as a welder on Pieper Farms and helped fabricate the twenty-four row planter. She also worked for APAC until they closed their doors. She then became the trusted newspaper delivery girl for the Daily Democrat and the Des Moines Register. She loved serving several friends as a bartender at the Corner Tap and Fat Annie’s. Amy was an avid Hawkeye fan and loved watching football, baseball and basketball. She enjoyed a good Euchre game, fishing, gazing at the moon and, above all, sharing a good laugh with her family and village.

Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point. Attendees will be limited to 15 people at a time.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, with Pastor Larry Shipley officiaiting. Tthose attending are required to wear a mask and social distance.

Amy's memorial service will be livestreamed and posted on her Tribute Wall on our website, www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com under her Tribute Wall.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory for Great River Hospice.

The Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.