Grace A. Menke, 99

Grace Amelia Menke, 99, of Red Oak, died on April 15, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak.

Grace A. Menke, the daughter of Ira S. and Grace E. (Fate) Bishop was born Oct. 4, 1909 in Pilot Grove Township of Montgomery County.

Amelia was raised in the Elliott area, graduating from Elliott High School in l927. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, graduating with an Elementary Education Certificate in l929. She later received her bachelors’ degree in l937. Amelia’s teaching career began in 1929; she taught country school near Elliott for one year, before teaching in Elliott. Later, Amelia moved to Primghar, and taught there five years. Amelia was united in marriage to Vernon E. Menke on Feb. 24, 1940, in South Sioux City, Neb. Vernon and Amelia lived in Oregon for a short time before returning to Elliott in l943 to make their home. Amelia was a member of the Elliott Church of Christ and Iowa Federated Women’s Club. She moved to Red Oak in l988 after the passing of her husband.

Amelia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon; daughter, Margaret Reeder and son-in-law, Larry Reeder; three brothers: Elvin, Verne, and Glen; two sisters: Margie Bishop and Agnes Hannifin.

Amelia is survived by three daughters: Patricia (Armando) Bonilla of Bogota, Colombia; Jana (Wayne) Singleton of Lincoln, Neb.; Linda (David) Clark of Red Oak; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Charlene Martin of Redmond, Wash.; and sister-in-law: Anne Bishop of St. Charles, Ill.

Funeral services were held on April 18 at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in Red Oak. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery in Elliott with Rev. Fred Pilecki officiating

Memorials may be made to Elliott Church of Christ or First Christian Church of Red Oak.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.