Merna Menke

Merna Menke, age 85, of Marquette, passed away Friday, November 22, 2024, at Merrick Medical Center in Central City
A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 27 at the Aurora United Methodist Church. Rev. Michelle Reed will officiate. Interment will be held at the Richland  Cemetery near Marquette. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date.   Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Merna Ellen Menke, the daughter of J. Stanley and Violet (McGrath) Bell, was born in Aurora, on June 3, 1939 and passed away in Central City, on November 22, 2024, at the age of 85.
Merna grew up in in Aurora and at age 10 moved to a farm in southern Hamilton County.   She graduated from Aurora High School in 1957.   She attended Kearney State Teachers College.   She then taught 3rd grade in Giltner for two years. 
On March 19, 1961 she was united in marriage to Lanny Menke in Aurora.   Following her marriage they made their home west of Aurora.   In 1966 she and her family moved to a farm west of Marquette until 1973 when they bought their farm north of Marquette where she lived until her death.   She was hired as the Postmaster Relief in Marquette in March of 1986 and served there for 17 years.   She also worked part time at the Aurora True Value, the Aurora Coop and The Grain Place.  
When her children were in school she was active with the Marquette PTA and Band Mothers.   She was a 4-H leader and member of a Home Extension Club.   She was a member of the United Methodist Women and belonged to the church bell choir for a time.   She was an avid and accomplished gardener, seamstress and crocheter, leaving behind many beautifully hand-crafted pieces.  
She was preceded in death by her parents, two grandchildren, Ethan and Zoey Menke, two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law.  
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Lanny of Marquette; children, Laura (Joe) Mattingly of Grand Island, Brian (Terri) Menke of Marquette, Lynn (Carol) Menke of Marquette and Donna Menke of Nebraska City; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.   She is also survived by her sister, Maryln Wells of Harvard, brothers, Jim (Pam) Bell of Mendota, IL and Denny (Betty) Bell of Cape Giardeau, MO; in-laws, Brad Menke of Grand Island and Ardith (Tom) Smith of Kearney, many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.