Violet Marie Danberry (Washena) Menken, 85, of Owatonna, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at Koda Living Community.
Violet was born June 29, 1935, the daughter of Truman Ernest and Daisy Mae (Carpenter) Danberry. She grew up on a farm in Madison Lake, one of ten children. Violet attended Country School District 133, Madison Lake through the eighth grade and then attended Madison Lake High School. She married William "Bill" Washena on June 5, 1953 and they moved to Owatonna. Bill passed away January 1, 2000. Violet later married Menke Menken on November 25, 2006.
She worked at the Owatonna Hospital and Woolworth's. Violet then began working for her daughter, Cindy O'Meara, at True Wealth Advisors as the secretary and receptionist for 17 years before retiring.
She enjoyed cooking and baking (especially her famous apple pies), camping and traveling. Her greatest joy in life was her loving family. Violet was well known for being thoughtful and for her selfless acts of kindness to others.
Violet accepted Jesus as her Savior at 10 years old and has loved Jesus and served him faithfully ever since. She looked forward to entertaining and treating members from the church to a home cooked dinner after Sunday services.
She is survived by children, Cindy (Richard) O'Meara of Owatonna, Cheryl (Curt) Jacobsen of Osceola, WI, Steven (Theresa) Washena of Owatonna and Tamara (Paul) Tasche - Leikam, Savage; grandchildren, Brenda (Joe) Claeys, Terrance (Neva) Washena, James (Chandra) Scholljegerdes, Cathy (Brett) Mallet, Casey (Melynda) Washena, Curtis (Nichole) Jacobsen and Lauren Tasche; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Stasia Miller of Mankato; and the Menken family.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Washena and second husband, Menke Menken; sisters, Elsie, Marcella and Ruth; brothers, Raymond, Glen, Ervin, Ronald and Donald.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 12:00 PM at Waseca Christian Assembly of God with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery in Medford. Memorials are preferred to Waseca Christian Assembly of God – Missions at www.wcamn.org.
