Helen Menke

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Helen Menke, 89, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society, Miller.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating.  Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation was held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2012 with an 8:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Helen Ruth was born July 25, 1923 to Arthur and Bertha (Jones) Vennum.  She grew up in Sioux Falls, SD; graduating from Washington High School in 1941.  Her future husband, William “Bill” Menke was a high school classmate.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  Her love for her Cornhuskers continued throughout her life.  After college, Helen worked as a secretary for the President of the National Bank in Sioux Falls.

She reconnected with Bill and they were married on February 22, 1955 in Sioux Falls.  They move to the family ranch in Rockdale Township in Hand County.  She worked and volunteered at the Hand County Library for many years.  After Bill’s death in 1996, she moved into Miller.

In addition to her family, Helen loved cats, books, playing cards, Nebraska Cornhuskers and Mickey Mouse.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, PEO Chapter AK and the Nebraska Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi.

Survivors include her three sons and their families: John (Nancy Evans) Menke and their children, Andy and Margaret; Mark (Traci Hunt) Menke; and Paul (Karen Schaefbauer) Menke and their children, Sarah (Jonathan) Coup, William and Christopher.

Proceeding her in death were her parents; her husband; and sister, Marjorie.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements.