Dennis W. Menk age 88 of Alexandria, formerly of Franklin passed away Friday, July 14, 2017 at Grand Arbor Assisted Living in Alexandria. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, July 20 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Franklin. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 pm Wednesday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in Birch Cooley Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dennis W. Menk was born August 1, 1928 in Sherman Township near Morton, Minnesota to William and Stella (Schmidt) Menk. As a small child he moved to the Franklin area. Dennis graduated from Franklin Public School in 1947. He married Dorothy Wheaton on August 19, 1950 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls. Dennis joined the U.S. Army on July 31, 1951 and served in the Signal Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and returned to the Franklin area. Dennis farmed and worked for Minnesota Valley Telephone Company in Franklin. He later worked at Amoco Fertilizer Plant, which he purchased in 1983 and renamed it CropMate. Dennis sold the business in 1989 to the Fairfax Elevator. They retired to Lake Victoria in Alexandria in 1991 and later moved to Arabella Manor in October of 2014. Dennis was a charter member of the Franklin Lions Club, a member of the Fire Department for 20 years and served on the Franklin City Council for 16 years. He loved summer and winter fishing and riding his John Deere lawn mower. Dennis enjoyed doing crafts for his daughter-in-law Becky’s store and helping his farmer neighbor, Bernie.
Dennis is survived by his wife Dorothy of 66 years; son Steven of Franklin; three grandchildren: Dody (Pete) Fuhr of Redwood Falls, Darrick (Deb) Menk of Alexandria, Dan (Tasha) Menk of Franklin; five great grandchildren: Taylor Moore, Logan Moore, Sydney Menk, Lauryn Menk and Emilee Fuhr; brother Ronald (Carol) Menk of Paynesville; nephew Brian (Wendy) Menk of Paynesville; great nephew Ben; great niece Alanna. He is preceded in death by parents, an infant sister and daughter-in-law Becky Menk.
I am so very sorry for your loss Dorothy and Steve. I so remember all the good times we had while I lived with you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I wish we could’ve stayed close.
Dorothy, Steve and Ron, sorry to hear of your loss of Dennis. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I can remember a lot of good times when I lived in Franklin.