Patricia Menke

April 6, 1949 - October 20, 2020

Patricia Menke, 71, of Fort Dodge passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Gunderson’s. Patricia “Pat” Menke, one of five children, was born on April 6, 1949 to George and Evelyn Point. She attended St. Edmonds School in Fort Dodge. Pat fell in love with Dennis “Denny” Menke Sr. and got married on October 11, 1965. To this union, three children were born; Kim, Sherri, and Dennis Jr. Denny and Pat honeymooned in Minneapolis and went to a Twins game. This game was the game that the Twins won the World Series in 1965. Pat and Denny lived in several homes before settling down in a home north of the High School. Early in their marriage, Pat would pull a wagon to Jackwell’s Grocery to see her parents. Inside the wagon, were her children. Pat was a stay at home mom till the children were old enough to watch themselves and she went to work for Target. Pat worked for Target for two years before becoming chemically exposed and was to never work again. Pat loved going fishing with Denny to Canada and Northern Minnesota with her parents and children. Pat and Denny would go up to fish on the Minnesota River many times. As their children grew and decided to settle down themselves, Pat and Denny would go on cruises with Jr. and Michelle, and weekends away with all their children. Pat was very excited and proud of her daughter Kim when she graduated from BVU in Storm Lake. Every time that an event was planned with Pat, Sherri would always say, “We’re making memories, Mom!”. Family was very important to Pat. She loved watching her children grow, having children themselves, and watching grandkids grow into very wonderful people. When Denny retired, they spent a lot of time going on trips, especially with friends (Delbert and Deloris) and would go on many gambling trips to many different casinos. Pat is survived by her husband and partner in life of 55 years, Dennis Menke Sr.; her children, Kim A. (Damon) Hickman, Sherri (Marty) White, and Dennis Jr. (Michelle) Menke; her brothers Ed (Sandy) Point and John (Kay) Point; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, George and Evelyn; her sisters, Karleen and Barb; and her great-grandchild, DayzeeMae. Pat will be extremely missed and will forever be remembered. Her smile, quirks, and mannerisms will be missed greatly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family.