Obit: Menke, Clarence J. #2 (1911 - 2004)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Menke, Johnson, Smith, Nikolai

----Sources: Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wis.) Monday, Aug. 23, 2004

Menke, Clarence J. (8 July 1911 - 21 Aug. 2004)

GRANTON - Clarence J. Menke, 93, of rural Granton, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, Wis.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Fathers House Christian Community Church, Chili. Burial will be in town of Rock Cemetery, Nasonville. The Rev. Ron Johnson will officiate.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Buchanan Funeral Home, Neillsville, and 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

Clarence was born July 8, 1911, in the town of Rudolph, Wood County, to William C. and Bertha Menke. He grew up in the town of Lynn and attended Maple Grove School. He was married June 8, 1946, to Evadene K'Smith at Lindsey Church. She died Oct. 10, 1993.

He farmed in the Lindsey area until 1950 and then farmed in the town of Fremont until his death. Clarence worked as a custom crop operator, along with jobs at Lynn and Nasonville Dairies. He also worked at Wisconsin Homes in Marshfield for 29 years. Clarence enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a member of Chili Senior Citizens Club.

He is survived by two children, Clara (Ray) Nikolai of Chili, and Louie (Sharon) Menke of Granton; three grandchildren, Michelle Nikolai and Jodi and Adam Menke.

He is predeceased by his wife, parents, and a brother, Allen. Buchanan Funeral Home, Neillsville, is assisting the family with arrangements.