Lila Menke

Lila Constance Menke was born September 16, 1923, at Alden, Minnesota, daughter of John C. and Stella (Schroeder) Geesman. She grew up in Alden, graduating from Alden High School in 1941. Her family then moved to Mitchellville, and then to Burt, where they operated the Burt Café. She attended LaJames School of Cosmetology, and operated Twins Beauty Shop in Burt with her twin sister, Eileen. Lila was united in marriage to Francis Joseph Menke on June 5, 1950 at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. They owned and operated Menke Oil Company in Bancroft. Lila enjoyed sewing, raising flowers, and following politics and world events. Her family was very important to her, and she loved being with her four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Lila died Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at the home of her son in Bancroft, at the age of 82. She is survived by her son, Joseph E. Menke and his wife Carol of Bancroft; four grandchildren, Katie Book and her husband Wade of DeSoto; Joseph H. Menke and his wife Beverly of Olathe, KS.; Heidi Menke of Iowa City, Iowa; and Kirstin Menke of Bancroft; and two great-grandsons, Ethan and Aidan Book of DeSoto. She is also survived by three sisters, ...[more]

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ina Gisch of Algona, Florence White of Fargo, ND, and Eileen Wellman and her husband Bob of Los Alamitos, CA; four brothers, Charles Geesman and his wife Arlene of Mason City, Jim Geesman of Walnut Grove, CA., Howard "Pete" Geesman and his wife Marilyn of Burt, and John Geesman of Charles City; three sisters-in-law, Beverly Johnson of Ringsted, Marianne Gradoville of Carroll, and Darlene Menke of Bancroft; and two brothers-in-law, Edward Menke of Phoenix, AZ, and Bill Amdor of Omaha, NE.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Francis on November 2, 2000; a sister Jean Eddy; and two brothers, Gerald "Jake" Geesman and Earl Geesman.