Jerry Lee Menke, age 74 of Cherokee, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Kansas City, MO. A memorial service will take place at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA. Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, prior to the service at the funeral home. There will be a 4:00 p.m. Rosary on Friday led by the Catholic Daughter’s of America. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
OBITUARY
Jerry Menke passed away unexpectedly April 8, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jerry was born on December 18, 1950 to Lillian and Burdette Menke in Primghar, Iowa. He attended school in Cherokee, Iowa, and worked several jobs through high school including work at the Perrin Fur Farm. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation from Washington High School in 1969, and he was honorably discharged in 1970. Following his service he returned to Cherokee and began working at Wilson Foods. He worked at Wilson Foods continuously and through the sale of the plant to Tyson Foods. He began his career on the production floor of the plant, ultimately promoting to the position of Plant Manager. His success was a testimony to his hard work and care for others around him. Caring for others was always important to him, and this was his primary concern when he worked with other community leaders to re-open the plant after it was closed. He was very passionate of the need to re-open the plant, and achieving this was the pinnacle of his service to Cherokee.
Jerry was an incredible jack of all trades, and he was never afraid to take on the most difficult of tasks. Because of this he also had many hobbies and passions. He spent much of his pastime outdoors. He loved working on his farm and was practically inseparable from his dog Crocket. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying deer and pheasant hunting in the fall, and fishing in the spring and summer. He especially relished his many trips to Canada with family and friends. He was a huge Hawkeye fan. He tailgated every fall in Iowa City for football games, and he spent the past 25 years in the same location 5 blocks from Kinnick Stadium with many friends from across all of Iowa. Another of his passions was cooking. Whether camping, tailgating or celebrating special days, he enjoyed serving some combination of his favorite foods such as brisket, chili, fried fish, jalapeño poppers, pork butt and the family favorite winderwurst. OK, not everyone liked the winderwurst.
He also loved spending time with his sons and grandkids, and reminiscing on those moments always made him smile. He was an amazing story teller. One never knew what he would do or say, but when he chose to crack a joke it was guaranteed to bring smiles and tears of laughter when he told it.
Jerry is survived by his wife Vicki of 53 years; his sons John (Maura) Gates and Jarod (Cindy) Menke; his daughter-in-law Jennifer Gates; his grandchildren Megan (Matthew) Reynolds, Michael Gates and fiance Michaela Kirck, Christopher Gates, Sean Gates, Scyler Menke, Elizabeth Gates, Jerzie Menke, Kirby (Katie) Gunnerson, Alex (Rachel) Gunnerson, Austin Gunnerson, Gage (Anna) Gunnerson, and Blaise Gunnerson; siblings Darlene Agnitsch, Rick (Jeanette) Menke and Randy (Kathy) Menke; and many nieces and nephews. He was also a beloved member of the Perrin family. He was preceded in death by Lillian and Burdette Menke; his siblings Linda (Jim) McDonald, Larry Menke and brother-in-law Jack Agnitsch; his son Dan Gates; and his in-laws John and Marge Glassmaker.
Crocket, Tripod and I miss him very much.
