Judy Menke

Judy Menke, age 83, of Jordan, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 11, 2024. If there is one word to describe Judy, it would be love.

A Time of Gathering will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 1st St. W, Jordan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM with a Time of Gathering from 10-10:45 AM, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, all at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 Second Street E, Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Judy will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. 

Judith Helen was born on August 21, 1941, to Alois and Helen (Malecha) Zelenka in New Prague, MN on a 110-acre family farm southeast of New Prague. She was the second oldest of four children; two sisters and one brother. Her mother unexpectedly passed away in 1962, and she was later blessed to gain a stepmother and stepsiblings after her father remarried.

Judy graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. She met the love of her life, Peter Menke, at a dance at the Park Ballroom. They were united in marriage on June 3, 1961, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague and started their family. Together, they were blessed with five children. Judy very quickly became an astute homemaker and took to baking, canning, cooking, and she always kept the laundry ironed and perfectly folded. She enjoyed various jobs throughout her life such as selling gloves, working in a dental office, housekeeping, and being the favorite lunch lady at an elementary school. However, her main occupation was always caring for her children and her home, and she did an outstanding job. Judy was well loved by everyone who knew her and her grandchildren are her biggest fans of all. Nobody could beat the love Judy provided those around her. She was always smiling and her fun humor was infectious to those who were fortunate enough to know her. 

Judy’s true passion in life was hosting and baking. She loved Christmas and having her entire family over for big gatherings. She always had extravagant holiday dishes ready to share, with rhubarb dessert, apple slices, sugar cookies, nut rolls, Hershey Kiss cookies, and an assortment of pies. Her amazing cooking often led to recipe requests, but the end results were difficult to duplicate since hers often contained an extra secret helping of butter or sugar. Her “healthy” snack she liked to provide was strawberries...with a bowl of sugar to dip them in. Judy’s way of showing her love was with food. Once a family member moved away, it wasn’t uncommon for them to receive a gift package from her with fresh baked treats and goodies. Later in life, Judy was blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she continued to do her best to spoil every one of them. She gave the best gift of all, the gift of time. Judy loved to garden and had a wealth of raspberries, tomatoes, and strawberries to can and put into her baking. She enjoyed being outdoors and always fed the barn cats the scraps that were left from dinner on cold winter days. 

Later in life, Judy and Pete enjoyed life together by traveling. They visited Las Vegas and liked making road trips down to Diamond Joe’s across the Minnesota border with friends. Judy was an avid reader and enjoyed puzzles, wordfinders, and was diligent with her crosswords. She enjoyed them all and was known to wear out her dictionaries. Judy was a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for over 60 years, and she held deep faith.

Judy was the ultimate caretaker and loved her family more than anything. She will be greatly missed by her children, Jeff (Dina) Menke, Sharon (Terry) Kraling, Steve (Nancy) Menke, and Kevin (Jane) Menke; grandchildren, Derek Menke, Lindsay (Jeff) Sweazey, Mackensie (Gordon) Kappers, Ali Berens, Abby (Jesse) Longley, Miranda (Johnny) Darling, Olivia Menke, Jack Menke, Brian Menke, and Grace Menke; great grandchildren, Lola, Stella, Noa, Addison, Henrik, and Isak; sisters, Jane Malecha, Eileen Glasspoole; step-siblings, Ronnie (Loretta) Tuma and Jeanie O'Neil; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Judy will be reunited in Heaven with her husband, Pete; son, Larry; granddaughter, Audrey Menke; parents, Alois and Helen Zelenka; brother, Ronald Zelenka; brothers-in-law, Donald Malecha and David Glasspoole; and step-brother-in-law, Jerry O'Neil.