John Menken

John Richard Menken, son of Tebbo and Etta (Eucken) Menken was born August 5, 1916, in Dale Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. He was the oldest in a family of ten children. John was baptized as a small child and became a lifelong member of the Jeffers United Methodist Church. He attended public school in Jeffers and graduated from high school in the Class of 1933. John was united in marriage to Viola Pankonin on September 1, 1938, at the Red Rock Evangelical Church. They established their home on a farm near Jeffers and raised their family of three daughters Beverly, La Von and Joyce. They retired from farming and moved into Jeffers in 1977. This move allowed them to live close to family and friends. John was a devoted husband and father to his children. He was always willing to help others in their time of need. He was active in community affairs, having served on the school board, the church boards, President of the county Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Jeffers Senior Citizens. Besides farming he was also a truck driver locally and made many out of state trips. He liked to hunt, go fishing, garden and was an avid reader and also a sports fan. He and...[more]

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s wife enjoyed attending the many activities of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren where ever they were participating. They enjoyed many happily married years together and celebrated their 74rd wedding anniversary. Together they spent twenty-one winters at Apache Junction, Arizona, making new and lasting friendships. They enjoyed traveling together and the highlight of their lifetime was traveling on a European Agriculture travel tour. They visited eight countries in Europe. They have also been to and through all states in the U.S.A. On Thursday evening, January 3rd, 2013, John passed away at the St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 96. John is survived by his wife, Viola of Springfield; two daughters, La Von (Allen) Thomas of Sun Prairie, WI; Joyce (David) Jorgenson of Jeffers; one son-in-law, Richard Engen of Lamberton; 7 grandchildren, Cathy Halter, Kenneth Engen, Angela Alligretti, Nathan Thomas, Kerri Knips, Lisa Dunkelberger, and Kimberly Davis. fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brother and sisters, Richard (Irene) Menken of Windom; Elta Barker of Westbrook; Hilda (John) Brand of Jeffers; Elsie (Russell) Vieregge of North Mankato; Esther (Robert) Rasmussen of Walnut Grove; Ann (Don) Roefer of Jeffers; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Beverly; three brothers, Tebbo, Edwin and George; two granddaughters; two sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law. Blessed be the memory of John Menken.