Christian Biography of Donna Menke

Donna Kay Menke, the daughter of Ivan and Lola (VanMatre) Hesman, was born on May 4, 1945 in Roseland, Nebraska. She passed away on March 2, 2021 at her home in Nelson, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 9 months, 26 days.

Donna attended country school near Pauline through the 8 ^th grade, and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1963. After graduating, she worked for Delta Airline for three and half years taking reservations in Chicago and Los Angeles. She was united in marriage to James Menke on August 23, 1967 at Lawrence, Nebraska, while Jim was still in the Army. For a year or so they lived in Alexandria, VA., then returned to Nelson where they have lived ever since. They were blessed with 4 children.

They operated the Nelson Gazette from August of 1968 until their retirement in 2002 after working together for 34 years.

Donna was a member of the Nelson American Legion, serving as President for 13 years and many years as Treasurer. Her hobbies include Sudoku; cross word and secret word puzzles; playing cards; gardening and flowers; traveling to all 50 states, Holland, France, Germany, Bahama Island, Catalina Island, and 2 cruises to Alaska and Caribbean which included, Honduras, Belize, Cozumel and Costa Maya.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Lola and one brother Dennis Hesman.

She is survived by her husband Jim of Nelson, Nebraska, daughters, Tami Towne and husband Tom of Grand Island, Nebraska and Twila Knehans of Hastings, Nebraska, sons, Todd Menke and friend Cori of Creedmoor, North Carolina and Tyson Menke and wife Melanie of Fraser, Colorado. Eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Norma Krueger and husband Harold "Wally" of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Linda Hesman of Madrid, Nebraska, Paul Hesman and wife Joyce of Frazier Park, California her sister-in-law Cheryl Hesman of Elkhorn, Nebraska along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11:00 am from the Nelson City Cemetery in Nelson, Nebraska with Royce Schott officiating.

Pallbearers were Mike Culbertson, Chris McClure, Joe McCutchan and Bill McCutchan.

Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery at Nelson, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nelson American Legion Unit #187.

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.