Representative Lester D. Menke View All Years

LESTER D. MENKE

Lester D. Menke was born December 16, 1918 near Calumet, Iowa. He graduated from Liberty Township High School in 1936. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1940 from Morningside College and attended the University of Iowa, College of Law for one year. He married Kathlyn Kolp on April 27, 1941 and their union created six children.

Called back to the family farm, he raised grain and livestock for 31 years. While farming he also served as an instructor for the on-the-farm training program with the Veteran’s Administration, served as the O’Brien County Director for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, as well as agent and crop hail adjuster for Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa.

A strong community leader he was a lifelong member of the Zion United Church of Christ in Calumet. He served as president of the church board and taught Sunday school. He was active with the local 4-H groups, a Boy’s Club Leader and a member of the Masonic Lodge. During retirement he volunteered at Living History Farms and at storytelling events. He was an avid baker, poetry writer and dancer.

He was a lifelong learner with an appetite for education. He served as a school board member on local, county, state and national levels. His commitment was made clear, as he was the president of the Iowa Association of School Boards. Lester spent nine years as a member of the State Board of Public Instruction of Iowa, served two years as president of the State Board as well as director of the National Association of State Board of Education. He received Morningside College’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1975 and later served on their board of directors.

Lester was a Republican from O’Brien County. He was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in the fall of 1972, serving six terms, including three extra sessions. During his time he served on the following committees: Agriculture, Appropriations, Education, Labor, Labor and Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Transportation and Ways and Means. During his time he served as Speaker Pro Tempore for five years.

Representative Menke passed away on March 5, 2016 at the age of 97.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA, That in the passing of the Honorable Lester D. Menke, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

DAN HUSEMAN

TIMOTHY KACENA

CHUCK HOLZ

Committee