The Superior Express -

Donna Kay Menke, the daughter of Ivan and Lola (VanMatre) Hesman, was born May 4, 1945, in Roseland, Neb. She died March 2, 2021, at her home in Nelson, Neb. at the age of 75 years, 9 months, 26 days.

Donna attended country school near Pauline through the eighth grade, and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1963. After graduating, she worked for Delta Airline for three and half years taking reservations in Chicago and Los Angeles. She was united in marriage to James Menke on Aug. 23, 1967 at Lawrence, Neb., while Jim was still in the Army. For a year or so they lived in Alexandria, Va., then returned to Nelson where they have lived ever since. They were blessed with four children.

They operated the Nelson Gazette from August of 1968 until their retirement in 2002 after working together for 34 years.

Donna was a member of the Nelson American Legion, serving as president for 13 years and many years as treasurer. Her hobbies include Sudoku; cross word and secret word puzzles; playing cards; gardening and flowers; traveling to all 50 states, Holland, France, Germany, Bahama Island, Catalina Island, and two cruises to Alaska and Caribbean which included, Honduras, Belize, Cozumel and Costa Maya.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Lola, and one brother, Dennis Hesman.

She is survived by her husband, Jim, of Nelson; daughters, Tami Towne and husband, Tom, of Grand Island, and Twila Knehans of Hastings; sons, Todd Menke and friend, Cori, of Creedmoor, N.C., and Tyson Menke and wife, Melanie, of Fraser, Colo .; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Norma Krueger and husband, Harold "Wally," of Elkhorn, Linda Hesman of Madrid, Neb., Paul Hesman and wife, Joyce, of Frazier Park, Calif., her sister-in-law, Cheryl Hesman of Elkhorn; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 4, from the Nelson City Cemetery in Nelson, Nebraska with Royce Schott officiating.

Pallbearers were Mike Culbertson, Chris McClure, Joe McCutchan and Bill McCutchan.

Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery at Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nelson American Legion Unit 187.

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Neb. 68961 or in care of http://www.pricefuneralhomes. com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska, was in charge of the arrangements.