L. T. "Roy" Menke

L. T. “Roy” Menke, 87, of Clarion passed away on Monday, November 17, 2008 at Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Memorial services for Roy Menke will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Nils Hernandez officiating.  Burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion at 1:30 on Thursday.

According to his wishes, there will be no visitation prior to the memorial service.

LeRoy Thomas Menke was born in Gaza, Iowa on June 5, 1921.  Roy was the third child of Will and Marie Menke.  He grew up on a farm and graduated from Primghar High School in 1936 at the age of 16.  He enjoyed sports and played on his High School basketball team.  Roy went on to attend the University of Iowa and joined the Army during World War II.  He continued his love of basketball as the starting center on his Army team.

On May 22, 1943 he married Jean Marie Miller at the Army base chapel while stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  They moved to Clarion in 1950, where Roy was the owner of the local Firestone Store.  In 1962, Roy started a new career as a special agent with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.  He studied hard and earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation on September 28, 1970.  Roy loved his profession and served for a time as legislative chairman of the Fort Dodge Life Underwriters Association.

Roy was also very active with his community and believed in civic service.  Just a few of his activities included serving on the Board of Directors of the Clarion Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the St. John’s Parochial School, President of the Clarion School Board, President of the Clarion Lions Club, Iowa District Governor of the Lions Club, was a member of the American Legion, and was committed to serving many other organizations.

Roy is survived by Jean, his wife of 65 years; his son Mark and wife Karen of Eagan, Minnesota; his son-in-law Jim Prather of Spencer; his younger brother Delmar Menke and wife Lou, younger brother Bob Menke and wife Rose, and younger sister Bonnie Crosser and husband Sam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Marilyn (Menke) Prather; his sister, Mildred Slinger and an infant sister

Memorials to the Wright Medical Center are gratefully accepted.