Lawrence J. Menke

Lawrence J. Menke, 93, of West Point, died on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2016, at the West Point Care Center, In West Point.

Friends may call after noon on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at Schmitz Funeral Home, in West Point, where the family will receive friends from to 3 to 7 p.m. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m., and a Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, in West Point, with Father Dennis Hoffman as Celebrant. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, in West Point, with full military rites presented by the West Point American Legion Holtz Geers Post #668.

A memorial has been established in his memory to St. Mary?s Catholic Church or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home, in West Point, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Menke was born on Sept. 1, 1923, in Salem, the son of Ben G. and Elizabeth M. (Bentler) Menke. On April 25, 1953, he married Eleanor J. Reed at Sacred Heart Church, in Ft. Madison.

He was a lifelong farmer.

He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, in West Point.

Menke is survived by his wife, Eleanor, of West Point; five sons, Dale (Sharon) Menke, of Fairfax; Ray (Sue) Menke, of Ft. Madison; Ronald Menke, of Ft. Madison; Jacob (Laura) Menke, of West Point; and Phillip (Sharon) Menke, of Davenport; one daughter, Karen (Bob) Hill, of Bloomington, Ill.; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and five brothers and sisters; Cecil (Luella) Menke, of Carroll; Marvin (Rita) Menke, of St. Paul; Benita (Dan) Coons, of Ft. Madison; Edna Spiekermeier, of Ft. Madison; and Marilyn (Ray) Watznauer, of West Point.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Kurt Bernard Menke; one brother, Arnold Menke; and one sister, Cecilia Buckingham.