Menke Lammers Menken, 92, of Owatonna, MN, formerly of Springfield, MO, and St. Paul, MN, slipped peacefully into the presence of his Savior on Thursday, December 20, 2018, after one day at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna following a recurrence of cancer and a heart attack. Menke was born on October 31, 1926, in Emden, Germany, to Onno and Wilmine (Mentjes) Menken, the fourth of six children. Menke joined the US Army (May 9, 1945) as part of the post World War II Occupation Army; he served in Germany guarding prisoners. When his father died, he received an early discharge due to family dependency (August 30, 1946). Menke and Rhoda Christensen were married September 2, 1950. They spent most of their lives in St. Paul, MN, where they raised three children. Menke worked for the railroad (Great Northern, after merger called Burlington Northern) about 35 years as a freight car repairman, cook on the wrecker crew, and later as a carman foreman. Menke and Rhoda were very active in church work, founding the Selby Gospel Mission; serving many years in volunteer ministries at Summit Church (with children, seniors, Berean Bible studies, and southeast Asian refugees [the New Americans], and prayer ministries); and at Living Hope (North Oaks, in small group leadership and ministries of prayer and welcome). In 2002-2006 Menke and Rhoda lived in Springfield, MO, where they were active at ParkCrest Assembly and as volunteers at the Senior Center Congregate Dining Program. After Rhoda (his wife of 55 years) died, Menke married Vi(olet) Danberry Washena on November 25, 2006, and returned to Minnesota, this time residing in Owatonna, where he was welcomed so lovingly into a new family. Menken and Vi were active members of Christian Assembly Waseca, MN. They loved their church family very much and helped where ever they could. Menke will be remembered for the love he had for his family, his joyful spirit and unique sense of humor, his generous heart and humble service, his love for the Lord �¦ and his hats. He was generous with his time and resources, always willing to serve and support the work of the Lord. He collected hundreds of thousands of popcans, redeemed them at recycling centers, and therewith funded many projects for the church. While living in Springfield, MO (on the RiverCut golf course) he picked up more than 27,000 lost and abandoned golf balls, scrubbed them clean, and donated them to auctions for Teen Challenge ministries. When out and about, Menke was usually sporting one of his hats from Germany. Menke is survived by his wife, Vi (Washena Menken) of Owatonna; his own three children: Daniel Lee (wife Fiona Mackenzie) Menken (Woodbury), David Loren (wife (Re)Becca) Menken (St. Paul), and Deborah Menken (husband Jan) Gill (Springfield, MO); his three grandchildren: Charles Alexander -, Henry Hannibal -, and William Augustus Mackenzie Menken; three sisters: Marie Menken Hackney; Frieda Menken Boyd, and Wilhelmina (Willee) Menken Ackerman; nieces and nephews; and by the Washena family, who opened their hearts to him. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, parents, first wife, brother Dirk, sister Tini, and granddaughter Anna Heidi Gill. A visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Thursday, December 27, from 9:00-10:30 AM followed by a memorial service officiated by the Reverend Brad(ley) Wickersheim, Owatonna, and the Reverend Ed(mund) Tedeschi, Mounds View. Internment with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation: 12/27/2018 09:00 12/27/2018 10:30 Service: 12/27/2018 10:30