Ralph Menke

Ralph Edwin Menke

October 28, 1923 ~ November 13, 2019

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph Edwin Menke will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 16, 2019 at The Kahl Home, 6701 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport.  The Rosary will be prayed at Noon.  He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Lucille, at 12:00 Noon on Monday, November 18th at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison.

Ralph Edwin Menke, 96, of Fort Madison, Iowa passed away at the Kahl Home in Davenport on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

He was the son of Aloysius and Rose (Dingman) Menke born October 28, 1923 in West Point, Iowa.  He married Lucille Hellige on November 3, 1945 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Madison, Iowa.  Ralph served with the United States Air Force with the 463rd Bombardment Group stationed in Foggia, Italy.  He was employed from 1942 – 1985 with the Achison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.  He retired as Regional Manager of the Illinois Division with 43 years of service.

Ralph was a life-time member of American Legion Post #668 West Point, Iowa.  He was a member of Holy Family Parish and St. Mary and Joseph Church and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.  He enjoyed League bowling for many years, ballroom dancing, camping, photography, traveling and spending time with his family and grandchildren also doing videos of special occasions and celebrations of their lives.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen and his wife Barb Menke of Lawrence, KS, Gregory R. Menke, Fort Madison, IA; two daughters, Judy and her husband Norb Pranger of Davenport, and Kristi and husband Daniel Swanson of Azle, TX; ten grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, a grandson, Dan Menke, his parents, 3 brothers, Linus, Richard and Clarence “Curly”, 4 sisters, Margaret Pollpeter, Mary Louise Fedler, Imelda Eckermann and Sr. Rose Menke.

Online condolences may be left at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.