Michael Menneke

Michael H. Menneke, 60, of Mexico, died at 5:50 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008, at Audrain Medical Center in Mexico.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with Rev. Randall Sawyer officiating. Visitation will be from noon until service time.

Mr. Menneke was born June 24, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a son of Hugo Albert and Thelma Ialine Gashel Menneke. On June 19, 1977, at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico he married Ruth Ann Harris, who survives at the home.

Mike was a graduate of Davenport High School in Davenport, Iowa. He also graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Biology, and from the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a Masters in Elementary Education Administration. He was employed by the State of Missouri as an Environmental Specialist III with the Department of Natural Resources. He was also a teacher at Missouri Military Academy.

Mr. Menneke was an Army Veteran and had served during the Vietnam era. He attended First Christian Church in Mexico. He had coached Tee-Ball, Optimist Ball, and USA Kids Wrestling. He served on the organizational committee for the Audrain County Relay for Life. Mike and Ruth Ann were very instrumental in the organization of the Bulldog Grid Iron Club.

In addition to his wife Ruth Ann, survivors include three sons, Herbert Michael Menneke and wife Jennifer, New Hampton, Mo., Nicholas Janes-Witt Menneke and wife Beth, St. Peters, Mo., and Ricky Curtis Mahaney and wife Jerri, Warrensburg, Mo.; a sister, Arloene Glessner and husband Charles, Marion, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Rosemary Harris, Gowanda, New York;three grandchildren, Paige Ann Menneke, 3, Lauren Ashley Wolosyk, 9, and Trey Alexander Mahaney, 10 months.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Miriam J. Menneke.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to the Missouri Cancer Associates, or AMC Auxiliary, or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for a scholarship fund. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.