Willie John "Bill" Menke was born to his loving parents William Johann and Hulda (Albers) Menke on Wednesday July 12, 1905 at rural Platte Center, Platte County Nebraska. Bill only attended school until the third grade. Bill's father's health wasn't the best and he was needed to help with farm chores. Bill was united in marriage to Ida Schwanke on Friday February 20, 1931, the couple were blessed with two sons and four daughters over the years of their marriage. They raised their children on a farm near Platte Center (Columbus) GPS of the farm place is 41.522078, -97.400290. There was a very unique driveway into the farm place. It curved and banked as you drove in. Bill always said the curves and the banks helped the winter snow blow right off the roadbed. Per a phone conversation with his daughter she said he played a button accordion which he learned to play by ear. We had many great family gatherings for birthdays and anniversaries. I recall Bill showing me his 53 Chrysler which had a dual purpose clutch, a manual and automatic feature, he was very proud of this car. Later Bill had a 63 Mercury Montclair Breezeway with a power rear window. Bill and Ida retired into the City of Columbus, Platte County in their later years. I recall visiting their Columbus home with my father when I was home on leave from the Air Force. Ida, being a good hostess, fixed a sandwich and served a bowl of her canned fruit right before it was time for us to leave. Sadly Bill passed at a Columbus Nursing Center on Monday April 17, 1989 at the age of 83 years, 9 months, 5 days which does not include his last day, he lived a total of 30,595 days. Bill and Ida were happily married for 55 years, 3 months, 6 days. Interment was in the Shell Creek Baptist Cemetery Platte Center. Bill's information was provided from researching many resources and my memory. This biography was created as an honor to Bill by his nephew Loren R. I believe all lives matter, even the lives of those who have passed. Many details are still missing from his life, if you have any more details I will be happy to edit the additional information into this biography. Please send your info to me at my email address [email protected]

Bill's Grandson: Virgil Voigt
Bill's Son-n-law: Edwin Voigt
Bill's Son-n-law: Ray Hauser
Bill's Son-n-law: Dale Durkop
Bill's Daughter-n-law: Judy Menke

CREDITS: google map, familysearch.org (M7LK-S2V), timeanddate.com, Don, daughter Ruth.
Revised: 07/12/2021